Editor Pick
Parque Cépedes
- November 7, 2000
- Rated 3 of 5 by
Joel from Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium
My vacation started in the eastern part of Cuba, defined by the Sierra Maestra. This large mountain range binds together the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Granma. In this region you are not able to get around its stirring history. So Santiago de Cubo seemed to be a logical place to start a trip through Cuba. On the first day I visited several places around Santiago de Cuba and got wrapped up in the history of the immediate surroundings. The Sierra Maestra has played an important role in the struggle for independence between 1868 and 1898 as well as for the Revolutionary War of Cuba in 1959. At the end of the 19th century, these mountains were the perfect hide-out from where the city's most celebrated son, general Antonio Maceo, and his men prepared the fight against the Spanish colonists. On the Plaza de Revolución stands a gigantic monument with sixteen gigantic steel machetes representing his rebellion and courage.
Other great men like the wealthy plantation owner Carlos Manuel de Céspedes - who was the first to free his slaves - and José Martí - country's most famous literary figure, whose life, ideas and martyr's death confirmed him as a national hero - were one of the first Cubans to take up arms against the Spanish and fought for freedom on the pretext of 'Morir por la patria es vivir' (To die for your country is to live). These men are still much lauded in Cuba as liberators. At the entrance of the Cementario Santa Ifigenia you can visit José Martí's mausoleum surrounded with palm trees.
In the heart of Santiago, the first square laid out in the town by the conquistadors is named Parque Cépedes. The park is known as favourite meeting place. Santiagueros, young and old, sit on the wrought-iron benches enjoying the expansive shade of the weeping fig trees and the gentle ebb and flow of activity. A small monument celebrates Carlos Manuel de Cépedes. This plaza is surrounded by splendid houses like Hotel Casa Granda, the Casa de Cultura, Museo de Ambiete Cubano, built by Diego Velázquez, and the white Ayuntamiento or town hall. And then I forgot to mention the prim-rose Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción with little stores underneath.
From journal Viva la Revolución