Summertime Spruced Up by Santiago de Cuba’s History

Beyond its beaches and cultural projects, Santiago de Cuba opened the doors to its heritage with lots of history-related offers for national and international visitors to enjoy.

The Hero City’s museums joined this plan of summertime activities in an effort to shed light on the history, culture, identity and treasures held in its facilities.

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Haidé González, a specialist with the Heritage department in the territory, explained that the province features 24 museums and over 600 commemorative constructions, including busts and sculptures, 49 of which are National Monuments, 44 locals and three World’s Heritage.

“Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, inaugurated in February 1868 and declared National Monument in 1979 because of its rich historic, architectural and cultural value, stands out among the most visited places”, she said.

González pointed out that this cemetery houses the Mausoleum of José Martí, Cuba’s National Hero, which was designed in the late 1940 decade for a contest that was won by Cubans Jaime Benavent, architect, and Mario Santi, sculptor.

“Parents and children have had the opportunity to learn more about Cuba’s history and traditions, by means of tours through such facilities as San Pedro de la Roca Castle (El Morro), where memories of pirates and filibusters are stored“, she commented.

At “Tomás Romay” they went into the wildlife of the country and enjoyed the planetarium and an exhibit of different species of birds, fish and pets like hamster and others.

She underlined that such museums as 26 de Julio, Granjita Siboney and the Birth Home of Antonio Maceo, Frank País and Vilma Espín have been among the most visited places throughout this summertime, since they treasure high-value porcelain objects and glassware, paintings that date back from the two past centuries, graphic testimonies, documents and even wardrobes.

González asserted that all those institutions organize workshops on Santiago’s culture, as well as tours through the city’s historic paths, guided by museum specialists.

She pointed out that walking the streets of Santiago de Cuba represents an unforgettable experience because of the colonial architecture of some houses that have stood throughout the almost 500 years of this village.