Page 22 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

20 ❯❯ Top 10 Cuba Highlights

Trinidad

Founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez, Trinidad was made a UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 1988. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the
city was a wealthy slave-trading center and hub of sugar production,
and its wealthy landowners and merchants erected fine homes and
mansions. The cobblestone streets lined with pastel-colored houses
have barely changed since then; Trinidad
feels like a town that time has passed by.
Unlike most Cuban cities, Trinidad sits on a
hill and is cooled by near-constant breezes.
Convento de San Francisco
1
de Asís
This ancient con vent hosts a museum that recounts
the fight against counter-revolutionaries (see p37).
The landmark bell tower (right) can be climbed for
a com manding view of the historic center.

Nightlife
5
Trinidad is rightly
Plaza Mayor
2 celebrated for its after-
dark ambience and, in
This atmospheric, palm-shaded square
(above) at the heart of the old city is surrounded parti cular, for traditional
by a cathedral and important mansions that today performances by Afro-
house museums and art galleries. Cuban troupes.
Shopping
Museo Romántico
3 6
The Palacio Brunet, now a museum, is
Good bargains
can be found at the furnished in period style. The beautiful architectural
crafts markets lining the details include a carved cedar ceiling and medio­
streets, where locals sell puntos – half-moon stained-glass windows.
hand-stitched lace and
papier-mâché models
of 1950s US automobiles.
Playa Ancón 4
This is an
immaculate beach
(right) with turquoise
waters on a peninsula
6 miles (10 km) from
Trinidad. It is the setting
for three tourist hotels.

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