Discover 11 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Santiago de Cuba (Cuba). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: El Morro, Moncada Barracks, and Santa Ifigenia Cemetery. Also, be sure to include Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Santiago de Cuba (Santiago de Cuba).
Table of Contents
El Morro
Also known as: Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
Storied 17th-century coastal fortress. The Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca is a fortress on the coast of the Cuban city of Santiago de Cuba. About 6 miles southwest of the city centre, it overlooks the bay. The fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, cited as the best preserved and most complete example of Spanish-American military architecture.[1]
Moncada Barracks
Also known as: Cuartel Moncada
History museum in Santiago de Cuba. The Moncada Barracks was a military barracks in Santiago de Cuba, named after the General Guillermón Moncada, a hero of the Cuban War of Independence. On 26 July 1953, the barracks was the site of an armed attack by a small group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro. The attack failed and the surviving revolutionaries were imprisoned. This armed attack is widely accepted as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. The date on which the attack took place, 26 July, was adopted by Castro as the name for his revolutionary movement which eventually toppled the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista on 1 January 1959.[2]
Address: General Portuondo y Avenida Moncada, Santiago de Cuba
Santa Ifigenia Cemetery
Also known as: Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia
Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba. Santa Ifigenia Cemetery is a cemetery in Santiago de Cuba and resting place of a few notable Cubans.
The cemetery opened in 1868 to replace smaller Cemetery of Santa Ana.
The signature resting place is that of José Martí, whose mausoleum is guarded by three Cuban soldiers at the entrance. Cuban leader Fidel Castro's ashes are also buried at the cemetery.
The cemetery is reached by public transit from bus stops across Avenida Capitán Raúl Perozo. Parking is available for buses at the entrance of the cemetery.[3]
Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption
Also known as: Catedral basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción
Cathedral in Santiago de Cuba. The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, also called Santiago de Cuba Cathedral, is a Roman Catholic cathedral and minor basilica in Santiago de Cuba, in eastern Cuba. The cathedral fronts onto Céspedes Park. Its facade has two marble sculptures.
The first church in Santiago was built in 1514, at the beginning of the Spanish colonization of Cuba, and dedicated to Saint Catherine. This was a small, rudimentary chapel on a hill, the future site of the provincial prison. In 1522, this parish church, called Ermita de Santa Catalina, was elevated to the status of cathedral by Pope Adrian VI. Its construction ended in 1526. It was destroyed in the earthquakes of 1678, 1766, 1852 and 1932. In 1882 it received the title of minor basilica from the Holy See. It became a national monument of Cuba in 1958.
In the late 19th century, Juan Perpiñan y Pibernat presided over the Sacrament of Penance at the cathedral by royal decree from Spain.[4]
Address: Felix Pena E/ Heredia y San Basilio, Santiago de Cuba 90100, Cuba, 90100 Santiago de Cuba
Museo Abel Santamaría Cuadrado
Museum in Santiago de Cuba. Museo Abel Santamaría Cuadrado is a museum located in the old Saturnino Lora Hospital, Santiago de Cuba. It was established on July 26, 1973. It holds pictures and documents about 1953 events, the Moncada Barracks assault and the October 16th Fidel Castro trial. It is named after Abel Santamaría Cuadrado.[5]
Museo del Carnaval
Museum, Military museum
Address: Calle Heredia No: 301, Santiago de Cuba
Balcón de Velázquez
Museum, History museum
Address: Felix Pena 612, Santiago de Cuba
San Juan Hill
San Juan Hill is a series of hills to the east of Santiago, Cuba, running north to south. The area is known as the San Juan Heights or in Spanish Alturas de San Juan before Spanish–American War of 1898, and are now part of Lomas de San Juan.[6]
Cespedes Park
Park, Relax in park
Plaza de Marte
Park, Relax in park
Parque Zoológico
Zoo