CASA PLAZA DE MARTE
Cuban Bed & Breakfast
Santiago de Cuba
It was founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, obtaining the title of city from Charles V in 1522. From its port they sailed two important expeditions: in Mexico (1518) and in Florida (1538). It soon became the main center of Cuba and was replaced as the actual capital of the island from Havana in 1553.
It preserves several vestiges of the Iberian colonization, including the cathedral, various administrative buildings and the residences of the governors. It was severely damaged by two earthquakes, which occurred in 1675 and in 1679.
Historically it has always played a central role in the political and military life of the island and later of the nation; even though it was situated in a quite well defended bay, it was often the subject of pirate raids, and for this reason it was equipped with a portben equipped with fortifications, which nowadays have become tourist attractions.
The most famous of these is the Castle of San Pedro de la Roca, a fortress that was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.
The bay of Santiago de Cuba was the scene of a naval battle during the Spanish-American War of 1898, also around the city there was, in the same war, the famous Charge of the Rough Riders to the hill of San Juan in which the future President of the USA Theodore Roosevelt.
More recently, in 1953, it was the city from which the Cuban revolution was radiated that, overthrew the regime of Fulgencio Batista, brought Fidel Castro to power.
It is particularly famous for its cultural liveliness, particularly in terms of music, as it hosts more than one Cuban music festival. Its importance in this field is evidenced by the fact that it is believed to be Santiago de Cuba the cradle of musical genres such as son and the Latin American bolero; this creativity seems to be due to the strong African-American component of the population.
It is the second largest city in Cuba and is justifiably proud of its revolutionary heroes, its beautiful squares and its vibrant musical tradition. Its proximity to Jamaica and other tropical islands, has infused a decidedly Caribbean spirit that can be seen in art and architecture, feel in music and live in its exuberant festivals - including the "Fiesta del Fuego", the Festival del Caribe and the renowned Carnaval.
The city shows an eclectic variety of architectural influences, starting with the majestic castle of El Morro, considered a UNESCO World Heritage site, continuing with the beautiful colonial house of the Parque Céspendes in the historic center and ending with the glorious Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, the most sacred place of pilgrimage in Cuba.
Just east of Santiago is the enchanting and wild Baconao Biosphere Reserve, recognized by UNESCO, with its ancient coffee plantations, while the highest peaks of the Sierra Maestra mountains rise to the west.
Take a trip by car along the coast surmounted by these majestic peaks offers scenarios of incomparable beauty. In the adjacent sea beds, remains of wrecks of warships dating back to the conflict between Spain, Cuba and the United States, are an excellent attraction for lovers of diving and snorkeling.
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Places to see in Santiago de Cuba:
