Page 196 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

194  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

Beyond Trinidad’s Historic Centre

Away from the centre there are more interesting areas to
explore. One spot to head for is Parque Céspedes where
locals, young and old, gather to listen and dance to live
music in the evenings. Or, walking eastwards, Plaza Santa
Ana draws people at all times of day. From the hill north of
Plaza Mayor there are marvellous views over the valley that
are especially beautiful at sunset.

The Cabildo de San Antonio, with votive
offerings and sacred drums
of the slaves. This Cabildo in
Trinidad, dedicated to Oggún –
a warrior god whose Roman
Catholic equiva lent is St
Anthony of Padua – is for the
followers of the Palo Monte
religion (see p27).
Environs
On a rise 1 km (half a mile)
northeast of the centre is the
Museo Espeleológico. Located
Outdoor seating at a restaurant on Plaza Santa Ana inside a cave of 3,700 sq m
(4,440 sq yds), it can be visited
R Ermita de Nuestra Señora (Las Tres Cruces), in the with an expert guide as far as
de la Candelaria de la Popa northern part of Trinidad, is the Salón de las Perlas, a smaller
This small 18th-century church the Cabildo de los Congos cave where water drops “fall like
on a hill north of the centre is Reales, a temple founded in pearls”. According to legend, an
conn ected to Plaza Mayor by a 1859 for the worship of Afro- Indian girl called Cacubu took
narrow, steep street. The striking Cuban divinities. In the 1800s refuge (and died) here, escaping
three-arch bell tower loggia was Cuba witnessed the rise of from the lecherous Spanish
added in 1812, when work was many cabildos, cultural centres conquistador Porcallo de
carried out on the church to differentiated by ethnic group, Figueroa. Karstic fossils gathered
repair the damage done by a which aimed to preserve the from caves near Matanzas are
violent cyclone. The complex is spiritual and musical heritage also on show.
being converted into the five-
star French-Cuban hotel Pansea
Trinidad which will include
a restaurant and bar.
Plaza Santa Ana
A short walk from Plaza Mayor,
in the eastern part of the city,
this square is dominated by
the 18th-century Iglesia de
Santa Ana, which was partly
rebuilt in 1812. The now
decaying church is flanked
by a royal poinciana tree.
The square is a popular place
to gather, and is a favourite with
children who come here to play
ball games.
E Cabildo de los Congos
Reales de San Antonio
Calle Isidro Armenteros 168.
In the picturesque working-
class quarter of El Calvario Bell tower of Iglesia de Santa Ana
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp261–2 and pp274–5

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