Camagüey was urbanized as long as the population was growing, that is why its streets are narrow and not uniformed, following the capricious will of the first settlers.

Following the orders given by Adelantado Don Diego Velázquez, the official Diego de Ovando placed the Spanish flag in Punta del Güincho, a strip of land very close to the shore. The lack of drinking water, agriculture, animals, and the proliferation of insects, shortly decimated the adventurous troop. In such remote date as 1516, the Castilians established a new settlement in the Caonao River banks. Perhaps because the term "river" in that aboriginal language meant a place where gold is found, made Spaniards settle in the site. Also taking advantage of the river basin, the settlers founded a new town between Tínima and Hatibonico rivers on January 6, 1528, where they determined to stay this time for ever and named the newly-born village Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe, though the aboriginal name of Camagüey was never forgotten. In the first years this was an inhabited area with few settlers, those who were tired of the adventurous trips of the conquest and were determined to prosper. The vast extension of land which made up the village boundaries and the fact that the sea was far away, were the condition for the development of cattle farms, farmyards and ranches mainly dedicated to raise cattle and horses. Shortly after, cattle raising became Puerto Príncipe’s main source of income. The presence of a group of wealthy stockbreeders contributed to the flourishing of the city. Since its foundation, Santa María had failed to fulfill the royal edicts, according to which all the overseas settlements should be laid out, according to the urban standards designed by the metropolis. This village differs from the others because there is no a central core and its arm square is not surrounded by the church or the city hall as is the case of other colonial villages.

Earthen Jars in the Patios Magnificence was not a privilege of Camagüey mansions, however, the cozy atmosphere of its patios granted Camagüey its best charm. Fruit trees and flowers provided all the color and aroma, while in a privileged corner, lied the indispensable bellied-shape figure. Earthen big jars were very useful in a region where the water level was very low at the subsurface. Earthen jars have become the symbol of the city. Its manufacture was so well enrooted that a few artisans dedicated their talent to turn these vessels into true works of art. With the installation of the aqueduct system and other advances, the traditional jars were no longer used, however, skilful hands still keep this tradition alive and at the Camagüey’s patios they are still found sleeping their old dreams.

Legends and Traditions Camagüebez, The Indian Camagüebex (or Camagüey) was the cacique of its town, he welcome the conquistadors and was very hospitable with them, while the newcomers killed him in a barbarian way. His body was launched from the high hill of Tuabaquey, at the mountains seen at a distance on the North of what was his chieftainship. Since then, this land became red along many leagues around. Sierra de Cubitas was the name of that place over the years. Some locals believed that the term "Cubitas" was the aboriginal name while for others, it resulted from the comparison that the first settlers made of the cordillera landscape with the surrounding panorama of the City of Cuba (Santiago de Cuba’s formerly name of this eastern heroic province). That is why for many, the area was referred as Cubita in singular, not in plural and as a diminutive.

Dolores Rondón There is a small monument erected at Camagüey City in 1933. She was a beautiful Cuban woman, according to accounts, born in 1812. The mulatto barber Francisco Juan de Moya y Escobar loved her, but she despised him. The proud woman married an officer from the Spanish army, then he died and she became a widower and a poor woman who was seriously ill in 1863. It was Francisco, the only support she had at the Women Hospital of El Carmen. Perhaps it was him who wrote the story, that of an impossible love, immortalized in books and in theaters.

Pirates in the Interior There is an account written on the first baptism book for whites of the Parroquial Mayor (Main Parish): "The British enemy entered in this village and burned baptism books written before, on the Eve of Good Thursday, in the morning of March 29, 1668”. The city was again attacked and on this occasion by French pirate "Sir" François de Granmont, who made everybody addressed him as Captain Sonda. He occuped the village and released under captivity fourteen women. Then he left, constantly being attacked by the locals of Camagüey, and many men lost their lives.

Alleys, Alleys and more ... Alleys Miseria (Tula Oms) is Camagüey’s smallest alley, situated at Bedolla. It has 4 m long by 2 m wide. The narrowest is that of Cura, between the streets Cielo and San Luis Beltrán, with almost 80 cm wide. Funda del Catre (officially named Ramón Ponte) formerly named Callejón de la Poza del Mate, because along its borders near Hatibonico River, the plants of mate used to grow in the spot. But not always the word alley (callejón in Spanish) is a synonym of a narrow street in Camagüey, it can be a border, a rail, a trail or a road. The Callejón del Ganado borders the whole city and that of Camujiro almost reaches the South coast.