Third village founded by the Spanish conquerors in 1514 and located in Sancti Spiritus central province, Trinidad is the most serene, gentle and generous colored picture of the Cuban old days. The almost perfect preservation of one of the architectural complexes of exceptional value among colonial settlements in América turned its Historic Center into a Cultural Heritage Site. Such status was also conferred in 1988 by UNESCO to the Valle de Los Ingenios, a great natural and archaeological reserve of the 19th century’s sugar industry, whose production made this city one of the most prosperous in Cuba.
The mysterious attraction exercised over all its visitors
lies not only in the beauty of its architecture, but also in
the persistence of its past. Its Plaza Mayor (major square),
gates, screens, doors and windows in precious wood, the
cobblestoned streets and red-tile roofs characterize this city
stuck in time -as many comment—, yet a city able to handle
the influence of modernity while treasuring its legacy.
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Historic Center of Trinidad
Trinidad city, known as the Jewel of Cuba and it has the privilege of being one of the colonial cities of the country and has one of the most complete and preserved architectural complexes of the American continent. There you can enjoy an amazing walk through the streets of stone settled in the middle, to admire the Spanish colonial architecture, which gives the impression to have stopped in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
Topes de Collantes
Located about 800 meters above
sea level, it is surrounded by
a prodigal nature. Located 22
kilometers from Trinidad city, it
also has a pleasant microclimate. At Topes de Collantes Highland, several places of tourist
interest are distinguished: Caburní Path, distinctive
symbol of the Guamuhaya massif, with its majestic and
spectacular Salto del Caburní; Vegas Grandes Path,
also leading to its impressive waterfall of same name,
surrounded by leafy trees and beautiful landscapes.
Valle de los Ingenios
Located to the northeast of Trinidad city, it has an approximate area of 276 km². The Sugar Mills Valley, a remarkable testimony to the development of the sugar industry. A living museum of Cuban sugar production, it includes the sites of 75 former cane sugar mills, plantation houses, barracks and other facilities related to this vulnerable industry, which has witnessed a gradual and progressive decline.
Ancón Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in the island, Ancón is bathed by the Caribbean Sea waters just 15 km from the city. Its sea bottoms keep Gorgonians, sea fans, black corals, loofas and small tropical fishes. Its surface, on the other hand, is calmed most of the year, which propitiates the enjoyment of simple and double immersion in its diving points.
Sancti Spiritus
Sancti Spíritus is endowed with a peculiar urban layout -perhaps the only one throughout Cuba —where the indigenous and Spanish traces are juxtaposed. It still preserves a genuine colonial atmosphere with much of its history to be discovered through its streets.
Linked to the origins of the Trova and the Guayabera —traditional Cuban garment— Sancti Spíritus has dissimilar interesting sites, including the Museum of Colonial Art, the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor (major parish church), which, having been completed in 1612, is considered the oldest in Cuba, the Teatro Principal and the bridge over the Yayabo river. The only of its kind in Cuba and symbol of the city, it is a structure with five arches of lime, sand and bricks without cement.
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Architectural Values
Trinidad architecture, eclectic by definition and vernacular for its composition,
can be classified as a reflection of the traditional dwelling places of the different
social classes during the two main historical stages: the consolidation of
the 18th century urban community and the economic and commercial expansion
in the first half of the 19th century. Their styles are not root-different and show
a nice conglomerate with both stages alternating protagonism, both enriching
while complementing each other.
Plaza Mayor
It is the oldest square in Trinidad. Located in the high part of the urban center, surrounded by majestic
estates and formerly illuminated with olive oil lamps. Several facilities of great architectural values surround it, each one
with a precious story to tell.
Casa de la Música
The standout live music venue in Trinidad, offering big-band salsa and traditional Cuban music most nights.
Craftworks
Manual and artistic deftness is part of the identity of the Trinitarian, who
transmits it from generation to generation. Pottery and
ceramics particularly identify the territory, with the Santander family standing
out.
African Influence
The African contribution to the Trinitarian culture is vital to define the
local identity and heritage. Slaves were the ones responsible for the forming of associations and town
councils in honor of a catholic saint, thus disguising their true origins to keep
their African roots.
San Isidro de los Destiladeros
Considered one of the sites of greater archaeological, architectural and cultural interest of the Valle de los Ingenios. Next to the archaeological ruins of the factory area of the old mill appear buildings such as the hacienda house and the bell tower with a marked neoclassical influence.
Old Steam Train Tour
The fantastic old steam train, dating from 1906, is incredible through small tunnels and over few huge bridges, right through the sugar cane fields to the hacienda of Pedro Iznaga at Manaca, even continuing to the colonial hacienda Guachinango.
Catamaran Cruise
Cayo Blanco and Macho Afuera keys are Virgin Islands of more than a kilometer long and 200 km wide to visit for a spectacular vision of a black coral group. Snorkeling, the observation of the endemic local flora and fauna or simply a good bath in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea is also possible.
Mountain Adventure
Enjoy a true mountain adventure with authentic camouflage trucks to Guanayara Park, where you walk along trails to its waterfall and natural pool.
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