Santiago de Cuba is the second largest and largest settlement on the island of Cuba. The date of its foundation is considered to be 1514. He stretched along the southeastern tip of the island. This city is most affected by the Caribbean culture. Therefore, his way of life and lifestyle are very different from the traditions of Havana.
Welcome
According to European tourists, Santiago de Cuba is the most temperamental, sensual and musical city in Cuba. It is devoid of colonial development. It does not have wide avenues and spacious paved areas.
The city is almost always dominated by spring. It owes its mild climate to the mountain range, which protects it from the winds. Therefore, sunny and warm weather almost always reigns in Santiago de Cuba.
Transport accessibility
International flights are accepted by the country's main airport. It is located in the vicinity of Havana. Buses and even trains run from the capital to the city. In the village itself, there are taxi services and private drivers.
History Center
The business card of Santiago de Cuba is the central square. It is surrounded by ancient mansions that once belonged to the most respected nobles of the city. In one of these houses lived Diego Velazquez, the founder and first governor of this settlement. There is the town hall right there, and behind it are the spiers of the cathedral.
Landscape
The city is spread over several hills. Therefore, its streets then run up, then headlong down. The tops of the hills are excellent viewing platforms. They offer amazing panoramas of the Caribbean Sea and city blocks.
Padre Picot
This street, which resembles a staircase, is a real attraction in the central area of Santiago de Cuba. Its steps in the daytime are occupied by vacationers, idle tourists, locals playing dominoes. Since Padre Pico is located in the heart of the city, its highest point is a favorite destination for travelers, photographers and artists. This is a unique opportunity to take a bird's eye view of the cramped quarters.
San Pedro de la Roca del Moro
The fortress complex is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. San Pedro de la Roca del Moro rises above the blue azure of the bay of Santiago. The fortress was built in 1642. It served as a military building to protect against pirates. Even the legendary seafarer Henry Morgan was not able to storm San Pedro de la Roca del Moro.
Today, the halls of the Santiago de Cuba Piracy Museum are housed in this landmark building. How to get here? Everything is simple. Follow towards the center, and then go down to the sea. Fortress walls are visible from afar. By the way, along with the museum in the tower is also the Armory.
Aguilera Street
This pedestrian zone is considered to be the epicenter of the cultural and commercial life of the city. A huge number of boutiques, shops, cafes, eateries and restaurants are concentrated on it. Musicians play directly on the sidewalk and artists perform.
On Aguilera street, in addition to the sights in the form of old estates, there are comfortable hotels. By the way, anyone who has the means can afford to rent an apartment in one of the elaborate mansions of Aguilera Street.
Las americas
An avenue through which you can walk for hours. It may not be a historical attraction, but it reflects the spirit of modern Santiago de Cuba. Along Las Americas, multi-story buildings proudly rise.
There are also hotels located that will easily give odds to hotels concentrated in the city center. The minimum cost for standard rooms is 3,000 rubles per night. Private traders for a small room ask 1,200 rubles.
Excursion programs
In the local travel agency, an inquisitive tourist can easily find a lot of interesting sightseeing trips at affordable prices. This is a great option for a quick acquaintance with all the sights of Santiago de Cuba. The cost of excursions is different. Short trips will cost 1,200 rubles. For one-day trips they ask 2,400 rubles.
Cespedes
This park comes to life in the late afternoon. Cespedes is the noisiest place in the city and one of the most popular attractions in Santiago de Cuba. Any local resident will tell you that it was in this square that Fidel Castro made an official announcement of the victory of the revolution.
Cathedral
The temple is a colossal building, which consists of several interconnected structures. On summer holidays, its facade plays the role of a huge screen onto which images of light shows are projected. They say that the spectacle is unforgettable.
Santa Ifichenia Cemetery
The historical value of this object, located in the very center of the city, is difficult to exaggerate. Fidel Castro himself rests on his land. Other important historical figures are buried next to him.
Neighborhood
Not far from the city is the ancient church of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy. It houses the sculpture of the saint, carved from wood. Parishioners bring her flowers and various jewelry. This is the local tradition. Under the arches of the basilica are kept cups and medals of outstanding athletes of the island.
Parks
Within walking distance from the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, a magnificent landscape square is spread. The main attraction of the park is the valley of dinosaurs. A huge plain is occupied by figures of prehistoric monsters. There you can see images of ancient people. This park is also under the protection of UNESCO.
Festivals
Carnivals, which are held annually in Santiago de Cuba, attract hundreds of tourists to the island. The most popular action falls on the end of July. Celebrations stretch for four days. At this time, the city is flooded with people in carnival costumes. Its center is occupied by processions of mummers. Theater performances and musical performances take place right on the streets. The settlement is immersed in unbridled fun.
Interesting Facts
In St. Petersburg there is Santiago de Cuba. Zip code - 194291. Forty households are listed on this street. These are mainly office and residential buildings. The first floors of the houses are occupied by shops, beauty salons, company offices. There are even medical facilities.
Take at least the mycology clinic in Santiago de Cuba. Its employees are engaged not only in research work, but also in publishing. The main profile of the organization is carrying out mycological analysis of objects. The editors of the clinic regularly issue the journals of the series “Problems of Medical Mycology”. Monographs, educational and methodological manuals are published.
Nearby, on Santiago de Cuba, 2, stands a twelve-story residential building. Opposite it is a local attraction. We are talking about the bust of Pavel Nikolayevich Kashkin. In his honor was named the neighboring institution of the Research Institute of Medical Mycology. To the left of the monument is the Family Medicine Center of North-Western Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov.