Notes on the Santiago Bay
Santiago de Cuba Village was founded back in the 16th century. The city is about to reach its 500th anniversary. A gorgeous lady has accompanied it through the centuries: the Santiago bay. The Excelencias Group gives you some remarks on its history.
Click on Santiago de Cuba: A City of 500 Years
There are over 20 bays in Cuba and Santiago de Cuba’s is very important, nestled in our country’s south coast, featuring 11.9 km² of surface and exuberant wildlife, as well as picture-perfect natural and landscape beauty.
The bay is one of the main natural resources in the easternmost region of the country. Its basin houses the city of Santiago de Cuba, which is one of the most economically, culturally and industrially developed cities on the island nation.
Santiago de Cuba’s bay witnessed the first commercial activities, colonial expeditions, pirate attacks and was the stage of the Hispanic-Cuban-North American war in 1898.
A defense system was built at the entrance of the bay as a result of all these situations. It was San Pedro de la Roca fortress and the lighthouse was inaugurated in 1848.
The first 300 slaves, congos, carabalíes and mandingas were taken to Santiago in the 16th century and, through the miscegenation, they became an important part of the ethnical and cultural roots of our nation. The first colonial expeditions sailed out to Mexico and Florida at the time as well.
During the republican stage, wealthy families built vacation houses around the bay and the coastline, La Socapa, Ciudamar and Cayo Smith. Time has gone by and different industries have developed in the area, such as Renté thermoelectric plant, the refinery, cement factory, among others that have affected the biodiversity and pollute this important ecosystem, as there is no wastes treatment system.
The marble pieces to build the mausoleum that pays tribute to Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, the Father of our Homeland, at Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, were received in this port in 1910.
Nowadays, Guillermón Moncada Port harbors grand-draft vessels, loaded with merchandise, equipment and different products, as well as huge and attractive cruises with tourists from different countries, who are interested in getting in touch with Santiago de Cuba, its steep streets, its history and, especially, its hospitable and heroic people.
On the other hand, there is a world of legends related to its cove, looking for shelter against the winds of oblivion, accompanied by the rumors on the strength of its waves, indecipherable tide and the presence and depth of Bartlett Trench.
Our bay not only stands in the collective memory because of these elements, but it represents the formerly Santiago de Cuba Village from different latitudes. Besides, it’s a window to the Caribbean and the perfect place to watch an unforgettable sunset.
