Page 225 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

EASTERN CUBA  223

Spanish immigrants that was Hatuey’s Sacrifice
completed in 1935. The club is
located in a building with an Over the centuries, the sacrifice of Hatuey acquired great
Andalusian courtyard and a patriotic significance and gave rise to numerous legends,
panel of painted tiles including La Luz de Yara (The Light of Yara), written by Luis
representing Columbus’s Victoriano Betancourt in 1875. The author relates that from the
landing in Cuba. stake on which the Indian hero was being burned, there arose
a mysterious light that wandered throughout the island,
Environs protecting the sleep of the slaves who were awaiting their
10 km (6 miles) south of freedom. This light was the soul of Hatuey. Three centuries
Manzanillo are the remains later, the wandering light returned to the site of the Indian’s
of La Demajagua, the estate sacrifice, and in a flash all
the palm trees in Cuba
belonging to Carlos Manuel de shook, the sky was lit up,
Céspedes (see p48 and p221). the earth trembled, and
On 10 October 1868, he freed all the light turned into a fire
of his slaves, urging them to join that stirred Cubans’ hearts:
him in fighting the Spanish. “It was the Light of Yara,
Yara, 24 km (15 miles) east which was about to take
of Manzanillo, is where Céspedes its revenge. It was the
proclaimed Cuban indepen­ tomb of Hatuey, which
dence, and where the Indian became the cradle of
hero Hatuey was burned at independence. It was 10
the stake. There is a small October” – the beginning The Indian chief Hatuey being burned at
museum in the central square, of the war of independence. the stake
Plaza Grito de Yara.
2 Media Luna
This is the birthplace of Tips for Drivers
the revolutionary Celia Departure point: Manzanillo.
Sánchez (see p55). The Manzanillo Length: 350 km (220 miles).
house is now a museum. Stop-off points: Niquero town.
Bayamo
For lodging: Hotel Niquero,
Yara
Niquero (see p263); Club Amigo
Marea del Portillo, Pilón (see p263);
Brisas Los Galeones, Sierra
Maestra (see p263).
8 Southern Coast
The southern coastline
of the province of Granma
is outstanding, with scenic
cliffs and bays. The coastal
road connecting Marea
del Portillo and Santiago
de Cuba is flanked by
mountains covered with
vegetation on one side and
Punto Nuevo sparkling sea on the other.

6 Pilón
Mota Uno This sugar­producing
town has a thriving
Pilón commercial port.
Santiago
de Cuba
Key
7 Marea del Portillo Tour route
In an inlet surrounded by rocks, this beach of mottled black
sand has a handful of hotels. It is a good starting point for hikes Other roads
and horse rides, boat trips and diving excursions. Path

For keys to symbols see back flap

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