CubaPLUS Magazine

A precious symbol of Christianity, built with wood from the Antillean environment and in a rustic way, it was planted in 1492 by Christopher Columbus in a coastal point on the eastern end of Cuba, later belonging to the legendary Baracoa.

The iconic navigator was then on his first trip to the Indies now known as America. We are referring to the so-called Cruz de la Parra (Vine’s Cross), the only surviving authentic relic from that time and which was one of the 29 planted in the regions through which he gradually arrived, after Rodrigo de Triana sighted the mainland.

The Admiral believed he was in territories belonging to Cipango, the far eastern kingdom where his audacious expedition had supposedly arrived, seeking a new route to obtain the coveted spices and other products from the prosperous Asian markets.Its age authenticated by the famous carbon 14 test and later by other studies by American and Cuban scientists, the precious symbol is jealously guarded, and with veneration, in the simple Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa (Parish of Our Lady of Baracoa), where it is appreciated as arelic of Cuba, and also of the world heritage.

The Cross measures 0.80 meters in length, 41 cm in width, and 10.8 cm in thickness. Over the years, to guarantee its protection and enhance its image, a silver lining or base was added, which serves as a support. There is a reliable consignment of the event of the historical enclave of the cross, in the Colombus Diary of Navigation itself.

There it is stated that it was planted on December 1, 1492. Twenty years later, colonizers led by the Adelantado Diego Velázquez, who would found the first Cuban town in Baracoa, found the Cross covered by weeds and cove grapes, very similar tothe Mediterranean vine, it is claimed.

This suggests the origin of the nickname Cruz de la Parra, which was in perfect condition. Velázquez baptized the Villa Primada founded nearby as Lady of the Assumption of Baracoa, an event that is estimated to have occurred on August 15, 1511. They say that the discovery of the old cross of Columbus was considered a good omen in colonization and evangelization in compliance with the royal mandate.

The Catholic masses and festivities were presided over by that symbol of great value in Catholicism, the official religion of the Spanish metropolis. From their meeting, the inhabitants of the small town and first capital of the island began to revere the Cruz de la Parra with a very deep feeling. Miracles began to be attributed to her.

Legends began to be born around the vine, her supposed powers and influences of all kinds.There are numerous stories and myths linked to the ancient object, which enrich the cultural tradition of the inhabitants of the area, noble people with a very good heart who soon went to live in one of the most isolated and forgotten regions of Cuba, despiteits bewitching natural wealth and its history.

In August 2011, the cross presided over the Catholic mass for the five hundredth anniversary of the founding of Baracoa, a beautiful opportunity in which it was declared a National Monument