Matanzas

Founded in 1690, it is known as the "Atenas de Cuba” (The Athens of Cuba,) because of the intense cultural life it had since its foundation; and as "La Ciudad de los Puentes” (The City of Bridges,) because it is crossed by 4 rivers and has 29 bridges, 4 of them are centenarians and still in operation. The province displays an attractive tourist product that combines beach, nature, and nautical, urban and cultural tourism.

Capital: Matanzas Extension: 11 798,02 sq. km Municipalities: Matanzas, Uniòn de Reyes, Martí, Pedro Betancourt, Jovellanos, Jagüey Grande, Los Arabos, Perico, Colón, Cárdenas, Limonar, Calimete and Ciénaga de Zapata Denonym: matancero/a Limits: It is bounded on the north by the Florida Straits, to the northeast with the province of Villa Clara, to the southeast with the province of Cienfuegos, to the south with the Caribbean Sea, and to the west with the province of Mayabeque. Access: Its main accesses by land are the Vìa Blanca from Havana, the Autopista Nacional and the Carretera Central. It has an international airport, Juan Gualberto Gómez, and by sea it can be accessed through any of the marinas located there.

PLACES OF INTEREST PLAZA DE LA LIBERTAD (SQUARE) 1

Contreras and Santa Teresa streets, Matanzas

The former Plaza de Armas, is now the center of the social life of the city as a meeting place. At its front, it has a sculptural ensemble comprised by a representation of freedom personified by a woman breaking the chains in her hands, and crowned by a 4 m high bronze statue of Jose Marti.

Museo Farmacéutico 2 (Pharmaceutical Museum)

49 and 51 Milanés, between Ayuntamiento and Santa Teresa streets, Matanzas. Tel 045 243179

Established as a pharmacy and inaugurated in 1882, it was the property of Dr. Ernesto Triolet until January 1964, the year in which it was reopened as the first

pharmaceutical museum in Latin America. In its shelves are kept jars, books and original utensils. Its collection is enhanced by a wide sample of albarellos of different materials used to store medicines or their ingredients.

3 PLAZA DE LA VIGÍA (SQUARE)

Magdalena between Milanés and Río streets, Matanzas

It is the founding center of the city of Matanzas, from which the layout of the main roads of the city was made. Connected to the outskirts by the Concordia and Calixto García bridges, around it are important buildings.

4 TEATRO SAUTO (THEATER)

Magdalena between Milanés and Medio streets, Plaza de la Vigía, Tel 045 242721

One of the most important theaters in the country, it was built thanks to the efforts of the prominent pharmacist Ambrosio de la Concepción Sauto y Noda. Built in neoclassical style, since its foundation in 1863, its stage has been the scene for the big names of the world scene such as Sarah Benhardt and Enrico Carusso.

Museo Provincial Palacio de 5 Junco (Museum)

Milanés between Magdalena and Ayllon streets, Matanzas, Tel 045 243195

Built in 1838, it belonged to one of the richest sugar owners in Matanzas, Vicente del Junco and Sardiñas. Since 1980, it has been a Provincial Museum and exhibits in its rooms valuable objects such as the oldest lapidary of the city, the crowbar with which the Caves of Bellamar were discovered, belongings of poet Bonifacio Byrne`s and the only Cuban mummy.

CASTILLO DE SAN SEVERINO 6 AND MUSEO DE LA RUTA DEL ESCLAVO (CASTLE AND MUSEUM)

Zona Industrial, Reparto Dubrocq, Matanzas, Tel 045 28 3259