Page 166 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

164  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

The lush green undulating land of Valle de Yumurí
2 Valle de Yumurí de Monserrat Sanctuary is Spanish. Another version
located, there is a fabulous came in a letter written by the
Matanzas. Road Map B2.
view of the bay of Matanzas. Swedish writer Fredrika Bremer,
The Bacunayagua bridge, 7 km Legends vary concerning the who visited Cuba in the late
(4 miles) west of Matanzas, is a origins of the word “Yumurí”. 19th century. According to her,
fine work of Cuban engineering. The most fantastic of these stories in order to escape from slavery,
At 110 m (360 ft), it is the associates it with the lamentation Siboney Indians used to commit
highest bridge in Cuba. Built of the Indians massacred by the suicide by throwing themselves
over the Yumurí river in the into the river while screaming
early 1960s, it offers lovely views “Yo morí” (I died).
of the peaceful, wooded valley
below, which can be reached 3 Cuevas de
via a road running parallel to
the river. Bellamar
This attractive area of Carretera de las Cuevas de Bellamar,
undulating land dotted with Matanzas. Road Map B2. Tel (45) 261
royal palm trees is well known 683. Open daily. & 8 = - 0
for its many centres and clinics
specializing in treatments for Discovered by chance in 1861
stress, asthma and high blood by a slave who was surveying
pressure. From the Monserrat A huge limestone formation in the Cuevas the terrain in search of water,
hill, where the Nuestra Señora de Bellamar the fascinating Bellamar caves
lie just 5 km (3 miles) southeast
of Matanzas.
The Hershey Train Only the first 3 km (2 miles)
The first stretch of the Hershey of these extensive caves have
rail line, inaugurated in 1916, been explored to date, and
connected the Hershey sugar factory expert speleologists say there
and the village of Canasí, both are still many surprises in store.
near the coast west of Matanzas. Access to the public, with a
The electrical system was one of specialist guide, is limited to
the first in Cuba. In 1924 there were the first 1,500 m (5,000 ft) of
38 pairs of trains, though only four the caves. This stretch includes
covered the full distance between caves and galleries covered
Havana and Matanzas. Today, the with crystal formations in
Hershey train links Casablanca intriguing shapes. The
(see p115) and Matanzas (pp162–3) temperature is a constant
via beautiful scenery, covering 89 km 26° C (79° F), thanks to the
(55 miles) in 3 hours 20 minutes, continuous seepage of the
with frequent stops. The small Hershey electric train cave walls. This impressive tour
(available daily) goes 26 m
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp259–60 and pp273–4

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