Seen from above, from its ostentatious towers, Trinidad City seems to be a labyrinth of roofed tiles that open the route of several large and small squares.

In the mouth of Arimao River, during the first fortnight of January 1514, Adelantado Diego Velázquez founded the third village of the island: La Trinidad, to pay homage to the Holy Trinity. Bathed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea and surrounded by the Sierra del Escambray, the city features beaches as Ancón and María Aguilar, caves as those of Carlos Ayala, La Maravillosa, Jagüey, La Virgen..., and the mountainous surroundings of Topes de Collantes, celebrated area for its climate and the wealth of its fauna and flora. Trinidad City was declared Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO in 1988. Its historic area was laid down in an uneven fashion with stoned winding streets. The dwellings have fresh interior patios, hip, ridge roofs or with two sloping sides, and broad projecting windows. Plaza Mayor (Main Square) is the heart of the historic center of the city around which are located the old houses of the wealthiest locals among which are the small palaces of Brunet and Padrón, today the Romantic Museum and Archeological Museum respectively, as well as the large houses of Ortiz and Sánchez Iznaga, now turned into the Art Gallery and the Archeological Museum. The Romantic Museum, first founded in Trinidad, is regarded as one of the best exponents of the Cuban colonial architecture. A sample of furniture and decorative arts of that time is on display in its 14 rooms. Guamuhaya Archeological Museum is located in the outskirts of Padrón House (18th century), and shows a panoramic collection of the pre-history of Cuba. The old residence of Cantero family, built between 1827 and 1830 now houses the Municipal Museum of History which preserves testimonial documents on the history of Trinidad. Across Plaza Mayor is the Holy Trinity Church which dates back to 1892, since the first building was destroyed by a hurricane in 1527. The famous sculpture of the Christ of Veracruz is found in its interior, by a wooden altar of a neogothic style. The old San Francisco de Asís Church-Convent is situated at just few meters on the east of Plaza Mayor which now houses the National Museum of the Struggle against Bandits. The tower is the only remains of this construction, since the other parts were demolished in 1929. Stepping down along the same street of the Parish and the Romantic Museum is the small Real del Jigüe Square where the first mass was said and the first Town Council was settled. Some meters farther the popular tavern, La Canchánchara, opens its door. The Valle de los Ingenios is found in the outskirts and comprises a number of geographical features as Santa Rosa, San Luis and Agabama valleys and Méyer depression, located in the Aracas mountain range, the south coastal plain and the littoral line. Among the best preserved and wealthiest exponents of this area are the houses-haciendas of the sugar mills of Manaca-Iznaga, Buenavista, Delicias, Guáimaro and Magua; the bell towers of Manaca-Iznaga and San Isidro sugar mills, as well as the hydraulic works of the latter and that of San Pedro and the small hamlet that still is kept at Manaca Iznaga that was the place where the slaves lived.

SOME TRADITIONS Trinidad City’s oldest cultural expression is the Corpus Christi festivity held before the Holy Week processions with religious and profane ceremonies. The two popular festivities organized every year are Carnival and the Culture Week. The former takes place between June 24-29 and features choreographic parades, decorated floats, coronation ceremony of the Carnival Queen, dances and horse races. The Cultural Week takes place on the second week of January aimed at commemorating the foundation of the city.

A NATURAL RESERVOIRE At some 800 kilometers above the seal level, Topes de Collantes Natural Park can be seen, the largest health tourism facility of the island. Hotels of the Gaviota chain are scattered on the area, featuring restaurants, cafeterias, pools and amphitheaters. With an area of 110 km2, this Natural Park is the habitat of many endemic species of the national flora and fauna, the little frogæ colínæ one of the smallest species of the world is there found. The park is abundant in forests of pines and eucalyptus, arborescent ferns and wild orchids, the latter featuring over 50 varieties. There are species as deers of white tail and wild pigs to enjoy the cynegetic sport. The birds that are more frequently found in the region are quails, white doves, rabiches and ringdoves.

ANCÓN PENINSULA White sands and a blue beach fit for diving and the practice of water sports, shaded by the majestic Escambray mountains, are the main attractions of this beach sector surrounded by Ancón, Costasur, Trinidad del Mar and Cadena Marina Puertosol hotels. Over 30 diving points are available in the extensive coral reef of the littoral.

Characters of A Legend

It’s not uncommon to see men riding horses along narrow streets transferring goods on mule backs or on carriages. The village dwellers will tell about their world, their modest way of living or fabulous legends of slaves, pirates and romantic bandits or treasures...

Manacas’Weeping Lady

Alejo Iznaga and Borrel killed in a duel a young man that was courting his wife and then locked up his wife in the tower he built. She died, after loosing her mind and strengths. It is said that in nights of full moon, the countenance of a sad lady is seen through the windows, swinging a white little handkerchief.