Santiago in Cuba

Santiago in Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba, situated east of the island, and is the ancient capital province of East (what is now the province of the same name).  It was founded in 1515 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velazquez de Cuellar.

The conquistador Hernan Cortes was the first mayor of the city.  Santiago also left the conqueror and explorer Panfilo de Narvaez heading for the coast of Florida on an exploratory journey, a journey that ended in failure and cost him his life.  In the Bay of Santiago, the first black slaves came to Cuba and with them strong African and Spanish roots.

Santiago de Cuba is located on the southeast of the island.  Historically Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba, after Havana.  It features a bay connected to the Caribbean Sea and is an important port.

The city has been growing at the bottom of the bay and is surrounded on land by the Sierra Maestra. The conditions are warm and humid, while you can admire beautiful landscapes with a rich composition of urban, natural and marine elements at the same time.  It has a rugged terrain, which contributed to the development of an urban setting and the avenues and streets both ascend and descend.

History of the town

Santiago de Cuba is located in the Caribbean and has a wonderful location, and has been the capital of Cuba, since its founding in 1515 until 1556.  It is a unique city, combining attractive values that show the idiosyncrasies of its people, culture and history of the place, besides the enjoyment of the exotic nature.

It is known as the Heroic City of Cuba, the title was awarded by the support of its people to the exploits of the Cuban libertarian.
Santiago de Cuba was also attacked by pirates and buccaneers, who were in search of riches.  The Ten Years War found positive support in the jurisdictions of Santiago, despite being a region heavily defended by their status as being the political and economic center. The independence struggles dragged a lot of from Santiago and from Santiago de Cuba.

On February 24^th 1895 they restarted the War of Independence.  Santiago answered the cry for independence, led by a wide range of good and just leaders. The end of Spanish colonial rule also included decisive action around the city, including the Battle of San Juan Hill and the Naval Battle of Santiago de Cuba.  On July 26^th 1953 there occurred on the Moncada Barracks an assault, carried out by young revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro.

Although revolutionary action failed, his immediate goal was fulfilled.  On November 30^th 1956, uprising occurred in Santiago de Cuba with people taking to the streets for the first time for the Militia Movement Verde Olivo.

This took place on July 26^th with people wearing red and black armbands, to confront the tyrant and to support the landing of Fidel from Veracruz (Mexico) with 81 passengers.  This action saw the deaths of Pepito Tey, Tony Otto Parellada and Aloma.
Following the landing of the Granma on December 2^nd 1956 Frank met with Fidel in the Sierra Maestra and promised to strengthen the guerrilla fighters hiding.  This plan contributed to the victory. In the final days of 1958, troops led by Fidel Castro and those who were in charge of the commanders Huber Matos and Juan Almeida, surrounded the city.

On December 31^st the rebel army was ready for the final assault to take the city, supported by the groups operating in secrecy. At the end of the first night in January, the central balcony of City Hall, currently located across from Parque Cespedes, was the scene for Fidel to proclaim the final victory of the Cuban Revolution.
Architecture

In the city multiple architectural styles, from Baroque to neoclassical purity are present.  Of special interest are the forest parks, terraced streets, colonial buildings with huge windows and crowded balconies.

Santiago’s historical treasures are preserved as the first house in America, Cuba’s first cathedral, the first copper mine open throughout the Americas, and the first Cuban museum.  But beyond its own charms that result from urban environments, Santiago de Cuba with its people is spontaneous, cheerful and natural.
Their culture

Santiago de Cuba is the birthplace of a lot of musical genres from Cuba.  Born from this area were successful musicians like Sindo Garay, Nico Saquito, Eliades Ochoa, Compay Segundo, to name but a few.  It truly is a unique city, which combines multiple values that allow visitors to get in touch with the idiosyncrasies of its people, culture and history of the place, while enjoying the exotic nature.

The most important festivals are “Santiaguero Carnival” the best in the country and “La Fiesta del Fuego.”  Santiago de Cuba has several institutions of higher education.  Among the most important are the Universidad de Oriente, the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences and the Higher Pedagogical Institute “Frank Pais”.
Heritage

The Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca was declared by UNESCO in 1997 as a World Heritage Site, citing it as “the most complete and best preserved example of Hispanic-American military architecture, based on principles of Italian design.”

Ruins of the coffee plantations

The archaeological landscapes of the first coffee plantations in southeast Cuba were declared by UNESCO in 2000 as a World Heritage Site for being unique evidence of a pioneer form of agriculture.

Baconao Park

Baconao Park in Santiago de Cuba was registered in 1987 by UNESCO in the Global Reserves.