CAMAGÜEY

The former Santamaríadelpuertodelpríncipe was founded on February 2, 1514 in an area of the northern coast near Nuevitas, and later in 1528 it was relocated in its current site. It has one of the best preserved Historical Centers of Cuba, the reason why in 2008 it was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. Characterized by a complex layout of streets and a wide system of squares and numerous ancient churches, it has a great historical-cultural tradition as the birthplace of prominent intellectuals and patriots.

Capital: Camagüey Extension: 15 615 sq. km Municipalities: Camagüey, Esmeralda, Nuevitas, Guáimaro, Santa Cruz del Sur, Florida, Sierra de Cubitas, Minas, Sibanicú, Najasa, Vertientes, Jimaguayú and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. Denonym: camagüeyano/a Limits: it limits to the north with the Old Channel of Bahamas, to the east with the province of Las Tunas, to the south with the Caribbean Sea, and to the west with the province of Ciego de Ávila. Access: by air it can be accessed through the “Ignacio Agramonte” International Airport, while by land the access is through the national road network. There is an aerodrome in operation in Santa Lucía capable of handling medium and small aircraft.

PLACES OF INTEREST

PARQUE AGRAMONTE (PARK) Salvador Cisneros Betancourt, Independencia, Martí and Luaces streets

It is an attractive square that has in its center the Monumento al Mayor General Ignacio Agramonte, a realistic bronze life-size statue that represents the hero of the independence of Cuba on horseback and machete in hand.

CATEDRAL DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE CANDELARIA (CATHEDRAL) Tel 032 29 4965

Located on the southern side of the plaza, it was built in 1864 over the remains of its predecessor that had been built in 1530. In 1688, the pirate Henry Morgan locked up the nobility of the city in the church and once they revealed the hiding place of their riches he destroyed it.

Casa Natal de Nicolás Guillén 57 Hermanos Agüero between Cisneros and Príncipe, Tel 032 29 3706

The place of birth of the Cuba`s National Poet, Nicolás Guillén, who was president of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba since its founding. The museum house exhibits personal objects of this nationalist poet, as well as a complete collection of his works in different editions.

Casa Natal de Carlos J. Finlay 5 Cristo, Tel 032 29 6745

The museum shows the original home of the famous Cuban scientist who discovered the carrier of yellow fever. In its halls, it exhibits part of the original furniture, as well as the instruments used by Finlay in his experiments.

PLAZA DEL CARMEN (SQUARE) Hermanos Agüero, Honda and Carmen streets It is an intimate and attractive square, adorned with life-size clay figures that recreate the spirit of the city: an old man pushing a cart, three women drinking coffee, two elderly lovers talking, and a statue of Norberto Subirat Betancourt reading a newspaper. The small square is surrounded by admirable pastel-colored buildings.

Convento de Nuestra Señora del Carmen (Convent) Located on the west side of the square, it is the only church in the city that has two towers. It stands out for the beauty and simplicity of its style, as well as for the successful restoration of which it has been subjected to that has returned its original splendor.

PLAZA SAN JUAN DE DIOS (SQUARE) San Juan de Dios and San Rafael streets

Its construction dates back to 1728, revealing itself as the