| Santi Spiritus City, approximately 640 miles east of | | | | that still stands from colonial times. This engineering |
| Havana City, was founded in June, 1514 by Diego | | | | masterpiece was built in 1825. It is a solid structure of |
| Velazquez, but in 1522 it was transferred to its | | | | lime, sand, and bricks containing five archs. On |
| current location on the banks of the Yayabo River | | | | October 10, 1978, the Old Quarters of Santi Spiritus |
| while searching for economic improvements. With its | | | | (Holy Spirit) was declared National Monument. |
| church finished in 1680 after 60 years of | | | | One of the options that tourists visit in the former |
| construction, its bridge over the river finished by | | | | village of Santi Spiritus is the mountain range, |
| 1825, and its great increase in population the town | | | | especially the Escambray Mountains located in the |
| was granted the title of Spanish City. | | | | south part of the city in the Guamuhaya Range, |
| Among its many attractions, the visitor can go to the | | | | considered one of the most important mountain |
| old historical part of the village, where more than 2 | | | | ranges in the country due to its rich fauna, and vast |
| thousand buildings with architectural value stand high | | | | forests. There, the visitor can find the Pico de |
| and where different construction styles coincide: | | | | Potrerillo National Park, rising 931 meters above sea |
| reminiscences of Spanish and regional Baroque and | | | | level, a well protected area devoted to the |
| the Neoclassical style. Many of them were | | | | maintenance of the local flora and fauna. Another |
| constructed between the 17th century and the 19th | | | | interesting option is the excursion to San Juan Peak, |
| century. | | | | 1140 meters high. The whole area is bathed by the |
| The visitor can see the Teatro Principal (Main Theatre | | | | waters of diverse rivers that flow into the Caribbean |
| built in 1839) and the Parochial Church, finished in 1680 | | | | Sea, such as the Yayabo River, Zaza River, Agabama |
| after 60 years of construction. Its narrow and | | | | River, and Jatibonico River. |
| stone-paved streets always wakes the curiosity in | | | | From the Rancho Hatuey Hotel, Encanto Del Rijo |
| the visitors, like Llano St which ends in the banks of | | | | Hotel, The Zaza Hotel (on the outskirts of the city), |
| the Yayabo River and has humble houses on both | | | | Los Laureles Hotel, The Plaza Hotel, The Hostal, and |
| sides built with the colonial style; houses that have | | | | The San José del Lago Hotel, the tourists have the |
| resisted the passing of time and that have wide | | | | chance of participating in tours to the mountain |
| patios where the light, the colourful stained-glass | | | | ranges of Santi Spiritus and to its monumental |
| windows, and the age halo give them a distinctive | | | | buildings; especially the tours to the Evangelical |
| touch. | | | | Convention Los Pinos Nuevos, the Parochial Church, |
| However, there are beautiful and opulent houses as | | | | The Holy Spirit Church, the former jail, Bartolomé |
| well, located on Manuelico Díaz and Céspedes, | | | | Maso Street, and the small village surrounding the |
| which were built during the times of great economic | | | | former sugar mill Narcisa, among many other sites. |
| growth of the sugar mill owners. No more than 500 | | | | A stay in the village of the Yayabo River is very |
| meters from the Old Quarters, the Bridge of the | | | | comfortable and a great option if you are preparing |
| Yayabo River stands, awarded with the title of | | | | to continue your journey to the eastern provinces |
| National Monument due to it being the only bridge | | | | after the long journey from Havana City. |