Page 206 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

204  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

0 Camagüey

This city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, lies
in the middle of a vast area of pastureland. It is nick-named
“the Legendary” for its traditions of heroism and patriotism as
well as for its Neo-Classical architecture. There is a large, rich
colonial-style historic centre and the city has an active cultural
life. Founded in the bay of Nuevitas on the northern coast as
Nuestra Señora de Santa María del Puerto Príncipe, the city
was moved to the interior to escape from revolts by the
Indians, who staunchly resisted Spanish domination in the
1500s, and from pirate attacks. The irregular, intricate street
network that distinguishes Camagüey from other Cuban An example of 19th-century Neo-Classical
cities resulted from the need to protect itself from raids. architecture in Camagüey
of the city, was designed by
Manuel Saldaña and built in 8 km (5 miles)
Airport
1735. In 1777 a bell tower Museo
Ignacio
was added, but it collapsed Agramonte
a year later. Since then, Train Station
the church has been
through phases AVENIDA CARLOS J. FINLAY
LAS
of reconstruction, MERCEDES
taking on its present
appearance in 1864. LÓPEZ RECIO CALLE REPÚBLICA
It now has a
monumental façade CALLE FRANCISQUITO QUIÑONES
surmounted by a
pediment, and a bell
tower crowned by
Parque Agramonte: the equestrian statue and the Cathedral a statue of Christ.
Parque Ignacio Agramonte and shade from the CALLE BARTOLOMÉ MASÓ CALLE PADRE OLALLO
The former Plaza de Armas is palm trees, the square
dominated by an equestrian is a natural gathering CALLE PADRE VALENCIA CALLE OSCAR PRIMELLER CALLE AVALLENEDA
statue of Agramonte, a Cuban point for the people of CALLE LUGAREÑO CALLE JON MAGDELENA
independence hero, sculpted Camagüey. During the Teatro CALLE RAMÓN GUERRERO
Principal
by the Italian artist Salvatore day old people gather
Boemi and inaugurated by to watch life go by, CALLE MAXÍMO GÓMEZ Iglesia de Iglesia de
CALLEJON DE LA JOLEDAD
CALLE ASTILLEROS
la Soledad
Amalia Simoni, Agramonte’s and in the evenings la Merced CALLE IGNACIO AGRAMONTE
wife, in 1912. At the four corners the young are TRABAJADORES
PLAZA DE LOS
of the small square stand royal drawn to Casa Natal
de Ignacio
palms, planted in memory of a the square. SANTA Agramonte CALLE MACEO CALLE REPÚBLICA
group of nationalists executed It is also a ROSA
here on 24 February 1851. popular spot for CALLE SAN ROMÓN Casa Natal CALLE BARTOLOMÉ MASÓ
As so often during the wars of tourists to see de Nicolás Guillén PLAZA CALLE AVALLENEDA
independence, the palms were the town’s PLAZA DEL CALLE HERMANOS AGÜERO INDEPENDENCIA MACEO
CARMEN
Iglesia
symbolic monuments to the famous del Carmen
rebels, as the Spanish would tinajones CALLE MARTÍ Parque CALLE P ADRE OLALLO CALLE PADRE OLALLO
Ignacio
Casa de
never have allowed real (clay pots) Plazuela la Trova Agramonte Sagrado Corazón
de Jesús
monuments to be built. up close. del Cristo Catedral de CALLE ENRIQUE VILLUENDAS ENRIQU E VILLUENDAS
Buildings of interest on Nuestra Señora SAN PABLO ACADEMIA AVENIDA TARAFA
the square include the Palacio R Catedral de Nuestra de la Candelaria REPÚBLICA Hatibonico
Collado (1942), Bar El Cambio, Señora de la Candelaria CALLE Parque
Casino
opened in 1909, a colonial Calle Cisneros 168, Parque Agramonte. Cinco Campestre
Esquinas
building housing the Café de Tel (32) 294 965. Open 2:30–6pm CALL E RAÚL LAMAR INDEPENDENCIA
CALLE
la Ciudad, the Casa de la Mon–Fri (also 8–11:45am Wed), 2:30– PLAZA CISNEROS
Trova Patricio Ballagas in 4pm Sat, 8–11:45am Sun. 5 5pm SAN JUAN
DE DIOS
an 18th-century building Mon–Fri, 9am Sun. Iglesia y Bus Station
with a courtyard, the Biblioteca Camagüey’s cathedral, San Juan de Dios
Hospital de
Julio Antonio Mella and the dedicated to Our Lady of 0 metres 300
cathedral. With its benches Candelaria, the patron saint 0 yards 300
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp261–2 and pp274–5
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