| Destination: Trinidad |
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| Trinidad |
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Trinidad is Cuba's colonial jewel, and is
located on the south coast of the island, 67 km southwest
of Sancti Spiritus, and 80 km to the east of Cienfuegos.
Trinidad was the fourth of the first
seven towns in Cuba founded by Diego Velázquez in 1514.
It was first established on the Bahía de Jagua (Bay
of Jagua), and then transferred to the area of Guamuhaya in
the indigenous village of Manzanillo. |
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| Plaza Mayor (Main Square) |
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| Main Square |
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Trinidad has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO,
and it reflects its colonial past in the splendor of the 18th
and 19th centuries. It is home to sugar and honey, as well
as to arts and crafts and ancient colonial palaces. One can
learn about sugar cane mills, haciendas (farmsteads) and rich
families who walked along its cobbled streets or visited its
churches and chapels, which today are still well maintained.
The traditions and legends of Trinidad will also enchant you
given that there is so much to hear about pirates and corsairs,
anecdotes about slaves and rich hacendados (farmers).
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The Plazuela Real del Jigue (the small square of Jigue) was
where the first mass was celebrated in the town; the Palacio
Iznaga (Iznaga Palace) shows the luxury and opulence of the
family that lived there; and the colonial houses have balustrades,
creole roofs, and exquisitely decorated iron work. In the
Iglesia (church) de la Santísima Trinidad there are
beautiful altars and the Cristo de Veracruz and other impressive
images that go back several centuries. The Plaza Mayor (the
main square), the colonial buildings that surround it, and
Trinidad's many interesting museums, show the deep historical
roots. |
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| Hotel Trinidad del Mar |
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| Hotel Trinidad del Mar |
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Don't forget to visit the Canchánchara
bar and savour the drink of the same name, made from Cuban
aguardiente (rum), lemon, honey and water; or the Casa de
la Trova where you can hear authentic, traditional Cuban music
and admire the excellent paintings that are displayed there.
Going from one surprise to another, you will enjoy visiting
the Valle de los Ingenios (the Valley of the sugar mills),
which is 12 km from Trinidad between the Guamuhaya mountain
range and the sea. This valley once had a large number of
sugar mills that made Trinidad one of the most prosperous
cities on the island. Today, there are several archaeological
sites, machinery and objects taken from the factories, slave
barracones (huts), warehouses and 11 farmers' houses, some
totally rebuilt and some in ruins. |
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The best preserved sugar mill is the hacienda
(farm) of the rich Manaca Iznaga family, which is recognisable by
its tower. It is said that the tower was used by those watching
over the slaves while they worked in the sugar fields. Its bell
announced the time of the Angelus, and also called the slaves to
work. The house of the Iznaga family has been restored and turned
into a museum and a restaurant where you can taste exquisite creole
food.
The beaches on the Ancón Península surround Trinidad
with their crystal clear waters, white sands and seabeds full of
corals. Wonderful hotels, scuba diving centers, and marinas are
located here, adding a great deal to your enjoyment of this city.
You will find Trinidad is a unique and incomparable
destination in Cuba. |
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