Santiago de Cuba

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Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba. In the nineteenth century, French immigrants brought some color to the already colorful culture of Santiago, where Spanish, African and Haiti influences mix, forming a multiculturalism that gives us the impression that in this Cuban city one can feel best the true Caribbean character. Santiago de Cuba is located in a valley, between the Sierra Maestra mountains, and due to the port in the gulf, it remained for centuries an important port-city. The railway that starts in Havana ends here.

Santiago de Cuba was founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez several kilometers away from where it is located nowadays, as it was moved in 1522. Starting from 1515 until 1607, Santiago de Cuba was the island's capital, although Spanish military leaders moved the residence to Havana in 1556. The University of Theology Seminario de San Basilio Magno was founded in 1722, long before the University of Havana. Until 1788, the bishop of Santiago was the greatest ecclesiastical power of Cuba; starting from this year, Havana received a bishop too. The rivalry between the two cities can be shown with numerous other examples.

When the gold reserves of the city Santiago de Cuba lowered, partly due to the bad treatment of Indians by Spanish colonists, the Indian workforce has declined and the inhabitants of the colonies were drawn to Havana. In 1554 Jacques de Sores attacked the city of Santiago; in 1662 the town was looted by the English pirates of Henry Morgan, in 1675 (and later in 1852 and 1932) was destroyed by an earthquake. In 1607 it became the capital of the eastern island and that is the time when there was built a chain of fortresses, which served for its defense. In 1791, in Haiti there was a slave revolt and the territory was invaded by French refugees. Thanks to them, plantations of coffee, sugar cane and cotton have increased on this territory, as well as the number of slaves. In 1854 there was born in Santiago de Cuba the greatest mulatto strategist, Antonio Maceo.

On July 26, 1953 Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada military base in Santiago de Cuba, followed by other events that would change radically the history of Cuba. Here he stated his famous speech which begins with: "History will absolve me...". After the great success of the revolution, in the evening of January 1, 1959, he announced the victory in front of the general public. These events gave Santiago de Cuba the title of "Heroic City of the Republic of Cuba."

The main attractions in Santiago de Cuba are: Cespedes Park, Church of Our Lady, City Hall, house of Diego Velazquez, Balcon de Velazquez, St. Francis Church, Carnival Museum, Museum of Rum, City Museum Emilio Bacardi Moreau, Plaza Dolores, Plaza de Marte, House of Traditions, Alameda Park, house of Antonio Maceo, Bacardi rum factory, Moncada military base, Vista Alegre, Palace of Pioneers, Zoo, Caribbean House, Santa Ifigenia cemetery, fort San Pedro del Morro, Jardin de los Helechos, house of Jose Maria Heredia.

Summertime is filled with adventures -festivities in Santiago de Cuba are countless. The first event of this period is the Fiesta de San Juan on June 24. In mid-June, Boleros de Oro is organized. This is followed by the Caribbean festival and the fire celebration, with songs, music and dance. Also here in Santiago de Cuba, in late July takes place the most ardent Cuban carnival with parades and many dances.

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