Page 222 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba
P. 222
220 CUBA REGION B Y REGION
8 Cayo Saetía of the large Oriente province,
but after administrative reform
Holguín. Road Map F4.
it became the capital of a new
Lying at the mouth of the Bay province, Granma. It is a pasture
of Nipe, this small island cover and livestock breeding area,
ing 42 sq km (16 sq miles), but has also been the home of
with stunning coves, is nationalists and the cradle of
connected to the mainland political revolts and struggles.
by a drawbridge. It was In 1869, rather than
formerly a private hunting surrender their town to Spain,
reserve, and in the woods the citizens burned Bayamo
and meadows, antelopes down. As a result, the centre
and zebra still live side is relatively modern.
by side with species Daily life revolves around
The coves at Cayo Saetía, known for their native to Cuba. Parque Céspedes, the
fine white sand On safaris, led by main square, dominated
expert guides, by a statue of local
7 Mayarí visitors travelling plantation owner and
on horseback or war of indepen dence
Holguín. Road Map F4. * 100,000.
in jeeps can hero Carlos Manuel
Mayarí, 100 km (62 miles) observe and The statue of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1955).
southeast of Holguín, was photograph the de Céspedes at Bayamo The square is home
founded in 1757 and, together animals. The few to almost all the
with Gibara (see p218), is the tourist facilities on this island important buildings in town:
oldest city in the province. are for paying guests only and the Cultural Centre, the
Nearby are the Farallones were designed with every care Royalton Hotel, the offices of
de Seboruco, caves where for the environment. A boat the Poder Popular, and the
objects left by the Taíno trip to Cayo Saetía from historic Pedrito café.
people have been found Guardalavaca is a highlight. Adjacent to the main square
and the Meseta de Pinares is Plaza del Himno (Square of
de Mayarí, a large forest the Hymn). It gained its name
cloaking the hills up to an 9 Bayamo after La Bayamesa, the Cuban
altitude of 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Granma. Road Map E4. * 235,000. national anthem, was first
Southwest of Mayarí is Birán, ~ £ Saco y Línea, (23) 423 034. played in the church here on
where Fidel Castro was born. @ Carretera Central y Jesús Rabí, 20 October 1868. Marking this
His parents’ house, Finca Birán, (23) 424 036. n Infotur, Plaza del event is a sculpture that
is now a museum. Himno, (23) 423 468. includes a bronze plaque on
which are engraved the words
E Finca Birán The second oldest town in and music by Perucho
Tel (24) 286 102. Open 9am–3pm Cuba after Baracoa, Bayamo Figueredo. His bust stands next
Tue–Sat, 9am–noon Sun (except was founded in 1513 by Diego to the nationalists’ flag. In the
when raining). & 8 Velázquez. Until 1975 it was part smaller Parque Maceo Osorio,
Relaxing in the shade at Parque Céspedes, in Bayamo
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp262–3 and p275
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