CubaPLUS Magazine

Cuba has a network of fascinating heritage cities of high socio-cultural value, among which the City of Havana stands out with a peculiar brightness -specifically its historical part- the beautiful and colonial Trinidad, in the center of the country, the eastern Baracoa, first town founded in 1511 by the Spanish colonization, and the beautiful emporiums of Santiago de Cuba, the most Caribbean of our cities and Camagüey, of the stately historic center.

They are not the only ones, since the list of urban jewels with these characteristics fairly includes beautiful Cienfuegos, with a sui generis origin and great excellence, Bayamo, the cradle of nationality, Remedios and Sancti Spíritus, with pure traditions. And without a doubt, there will be more, since the cultural and material treasure that is breathed in other cities is immense.

We begin this summary with the 5 mentioned at the beginning, perhaps because it seems to us they are the ones that sound the most in the tourist circuits. San Cristóbal de La Habana, born on November 16, 1519, in the area that today occupies its historic center, a World Heritage Site, began to be reborn many years ago under the management of the Office of the City Historian and its manager, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, factors that brought back to life, with rigor and beauty, an architectural and cultural heritage erected in stone such as palaces, squares, religious temples, a system of fortresses, theaters, walls, streets and much more...

A wonderful work deserved by the most splendid group of the patrimonial system conserved in the country. As for the Villa de la Santísima Trinidad, founded in 1514 in south-central Cuba, and today belonging to the city of Sancti Spíritus, it is one of the best-preserved urban frameworks of colonial life, with buildings and landscapes that offer a rich testament to the splendor of the industry Cuban sugar factory in the mid-19th century, unfortunately raised under the exploitation of slave labor.

In its mansions, temples and squares, it is still shown how an efficient plantation economy worked and the vigor of a very beautiful craft culture. In short, there is the treasure of the past, royally preserved, with today's active life beating in every corner. We are now talking about Camagüey, the mild region of shepherds and hats, according to the national poet Nicolás Guillén, also born in 1514. It is a modern city with old labyrinthine streets and twists and turns, in its historic center, which give it an irresistible charm, together with its urban squares, museums, the central boulevard and everything that refers to its treasure, linked to its origins, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

The hot and hospitable eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, near the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, patron saint of the country, according to the Catholic creed, is always one of the most solid values of our heritage, not only because of its founding history . Former capital of Cuba in the colony, after Baracoa, her children are brave, and very hospitable and cheerful. Close to the powerful Sierra Maestra, Santiago de Cuba is like a strongly magnetic magnet due to its history and being the cradle of the mythical Cuban son, bolero and part of the trova, and having the best people in the world, for their kindness and encouragement laugher.

Not last on the list, it is less symbolic to a high degree, due to its natural beauties is the city of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa, the Primate of Cuba. Born on August 15, 1511. It was the first capital of this land "discovered" by Columbus according to the Eurocentric vision, populated by peaceful aborigines called Tainos, of South American origin. Today it still looks like a traditional small town, lost between mountains and dense forests rich in deep, green flora.

It is the wettest region of Cuba and is furrowed by powerful river currents. Full of traditions, dance rhythms such as the nengón and the quiribá stand out, the plastic arts, a rich cosmogony of aboriginal origin and above all a delicious native cuisine, with ingredients grown in those fertile soils. Baracoa, the Green World of Cuba, will surprise you with the most pure and happy and the charisma of people of gold.