Page 248 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

246  CUBA REGION B Y REGION

p Baracoa

The oldest city in Cuba lies at the far eastern tip of the island.
Its name in the Arauaca language, spoken by the former
inhabitants of the area, means “the presence of the sea”.
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa villa was founded
on 15 August 1511, on a curved bay that had been discovered
some 20 years earlier by Columbus, and immediately became
the political and ecclesiastical capital of Cuba. However,
this status was short-lived. In 1515, the city founder Diego
Velázquez transferred his residence to Santiago, marking
the beginning of a long period of social and economic The Cruz de la Parra, originally carved
isolation for Baracoa. 500 years ago

R Catedral de Nuestra
Señora de la Asunción
Calle Maceo 152. Tel (21) 643 352.
Open 8–11am & 4–7pm Tue–Fri,
8–11am & 5–9pm Sat, 8am–noon Sun.
5 9am.
This modest cathedral, built in
1807 and restored in 2012, is
most famous as the home of
the Cruz de la Parra, a wooden
cross that is said to be the
oldest symbol of Christianity in
the New World. According to
legend, the cross was brought
to Cuba by Columbus on his
A street in Baracoa, dominated by lush vegetation first voyage to America, and on
1 December 1492 it was placed
Exploring Baracoa Parque Independencia on the spot where Baracoa was
“Baracoa means nature”, the In the main square, overlooked later founded. It is said that the
Cubans say, and it is certainly by the cathedral, is a famous cross disappeared one day and
true: enclosed by tropical forest bust of the Indian leader was then miraculously found
and the sea, for four centuries Hatuey (see p223). Nearby are under the climbing vine (parra)
this town has managed to live the Casa de la Trova, the Fondo in a settler’s garden, hence its
by fishing, cultivating cocoa, de Bienes Culturales, which name. The four tips of the cross
coconuts and bananas, and by exhibits works by local painters, are now covered with metal
gathering wood. While the sculptors and craftsmen, and sheets, because in the past
isolation has created incon­ the Casa de la Cultura, an worshippers used to pull off
veniences, it has also allowed the eclectic building with colonial splinters and keep them as
locals to maintain their traditions elements that hosts evening relics. Scientific analysis of the
and preserve the ecosystem. performances and events. wood proves the cross is some
The historic centre of Baracoa At No. 123 Calle Maceo is 500 years old, but the discovery
is not colonial, but a mixture the Casa del Chocolate, which that it is made from indigenous
of styles, with some Neo­ serves excellent hot chocolate. Cuban wood disproves
Classical and French influences. Baracoa cocoa is famous the legendary connection
Thick vegetation towers over throughout Cuba. to Columbus.
the buildings and has even
invaded some houses, many
of which are built of wood.
The best view of the town
is seen from the terrace of an
18th­century fortress on a hill
above the town: the Castillo de
Seboruco, now Hotel el Castillo
(see p262). From here you can
see the roofs and the bay of
Baracoa, dominated to the west
by the mountain of El Yunque
(see p248). A typical single-storey wooden house in Baracoa
The bay of Baracoa, with El Yanque on the horizon, viewed from the Castillo de Seboruco

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