Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in the island of Cuba. The date of its foundation is considered to be 1514. It stretches along the southeastern tip of the island. This city is most influenced by the Caribbean culture. Therefore, his way of life and way of life are strikingly 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 buildings. It does not have wide avenues and spacious squares paved with cobblestones.
Spring almost always reigns in the city. It owes its mild climate to the mountain range, which protects it from the winds. Therefore, in Santiago de Cuba, the weather is almost always sunny and warm.
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. There are taxi services and private cabs in the village itself.
Historic Center
The visiting card of Santiago de Cuba is the central square. It is surrounded by old mansions that once belonged to the most respected nobles of the city. Diego Velasquez, the founder and first governor of this settlement, lived in one of these houses. There is also the town hall, and behind it you can see 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 urban areas.
Padre Pico
This street, which resembles a staircase, is a real landmark in the central region of Santiago de Cuba. Its steps are occupied during the daytime by vacationers, idle tourists, locals playing dominoes. Since Padre Pico Street is located in the heart of the city, its highest point is a favorite place for travelers, photographers and artists. This is a unique opportunity to get a bird's-eye view of 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 Santiago Bay. The fortress was built in 1642. It served as a military structure to protect against pirates. Even the legendary navigator Henry Morgan failed to storm San Pedro de la Roca del Moro.
Today, the halls of the Museum of Piracy of Santiago de Cuba are located in the building of this attraction. How to get therehere? Everything is simple. Follow towards the center, and then go down to the sea. The fortress walls are visible from afar. By the way, along with the museum, the tower also houses the Armory.
Aguilera Street
This pedestrian area 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. Right on the sidewalk, musicians play and artists perform.
On Aguilera Street, in addition to attractions in the form of old manors, there are comfortable hotels. By the way, anyone with the means can afford to rent an apartment in one of the artsy mansions of Aguilera Street.
Las Americas
Prospect, where you can walk for hours. Although it is not a historical landmark, it reflects the spirit of modern Santiago de Cuba. High-rise buildings rise proudly along Las Americas.
There are also hotels that will easily give odds to hotels concentrated in the city center. The minimum cost of living in standard rooms is 3,000 rubles per night. Private traders ask for 1,200 rubles for a small room.
Excursion programs
In local travel agencies, an inquisitive tourist can easily find a lot of interesting sightseeing trips at affordable prices. This is a great option for a cursory acquaintance with all the sights of Santiago de Cuba at once. Tour prices vary. Short trips will cost 1,200 rubles. For one-day trips they ask 2,400rub.
Cespedes
This park comes alive 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 the official announcement of the victory of the revolution.
Cathedral
The temple is a colossal building, which consists of several interconnected structures. During the 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 Ifigenia Cemetery
The historical value of this object, located in the very center of the city, can hardly be exaggerated. Fidel Castro himself rests on his land. Other important historical figures are buried next to him.
Neighbourhood
Not far from the city is the ancient Church of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy. It contains a sculpture of a saint carved from wood. Parishioners bring her flowers and various jewelry. This is the local tradition. Cups and medals of outstanding athletes of the island are stored under the vaults of the basilica.
Parks
Within walking distance from the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Mercy, there is a luxurious landscaped square. The main attraction of the park is the valley of dinosaurs. The vast plain is occupied by figures of prehistoric monsters. There you can also 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 event takes place at the end of July. The celebrations stretch over four days. At this time, the city is flooded with people in carnival costumes. Its center is occupied by processions of mummers. Theatrical performances and musical performances unfold right on the streets. The settlement plunges into unrestrained fun.
Interesting facts
There is a Santiago de Cuba street in St. Petersburg. The index is 194291. There are forty households on this street. These are mainly office and residential buildings. The first floors of the houses are occupied by shops, beauty salons, and representative offices of companies. 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 mycological analysis of objects. The editors of the polyclinic regularly publish journals in the Problems of Medical Mycology series. They print monographs, educational and methodical manuals.
Nearby, on Santiago de Cuba Street 2, there is a twelve-story residential building. Opposite it is a local attraction. We are talking about the bust of Pavel Nikolaevich Kashkin. The neighboring institution of the Research Institute of Medical Mycology was named in his honor. To the left of the monument is the Center for Family Medicine of the North-Western State Medical University. I. I. Mechnikova.
