Historical Cuba Attractions – Guanabacoa

Guanabacoa, an aboriginal name that means highervalue. Time, styles, and diverse topologies converge
palm grove, was founded with the name of Indianthere, which gives the village certain peculiarity and
Town in 1554 southeast of the Havana Bay. Its firstmajesty. The sculptural monuments present there
settlers were free aboriginal population or Cubanare numerous, all dedicated to the memory of
natives, but its population began to grow quickly withpersonalities that left a mark in the history of
the settling of Spanish colonists who brought alongGuanabacoa.
their slaves, due to the fact that this village wasThe social reality during the colonial period conditioned
intended for agriculture and cattle raising.the presence and development of a set of religious
The climate and the waters surrounding the villagebeliefs and cults of African origin that still prevail in
were reasons enough for the Havana aristocracy toour days. In Guanabacoa, the practices of santeria of
decide to make their residence there some yearsthe Yoruba culture exist almost intact, a culture that
later, building churches and mansions on its streets,was brought from Africa by lucumi ethnic groups. As
each of those with a story to tell. As everlastingwell, the Bantu cults and the Secret Society Abakuá
witnesses, some of these constructions are stillare integrated in the culture, living testimonies of a
standing quite preserved; for example, the oldvery rich religious mixture. In this town myth and
Lyceum of Arts and Literature, where Joséreality coexist; as do the dances, the magic spells and
Martí, the Cuban National Hero, gave his first publicthe rituals of this mixture of cultures and religions. In
speech; the Chapel of Potosí, considered as one oforder to enjoy this fascinating mystic world, the
the most ancient constructions on the island; thevisitor can go to the exhibition of the Municipal
Parochial Church; and the Convents of Saint DomingoMuseum entitled "A Glance to the African-Cuban
and Saint Francis, the latter being the headquartersWorld" which has two ethnographic rooms on the
of the first Teacher Training College in Cuba, foundedYoruba religion. This exhibit is located in the Orishas
on November 19, 1857.Bazaar. 
Its topography is irregular, presenting vast plainsMany people identify this village as "The Chosen Land
which favor the agriculture in the rural zones andof the African Gods". The truth is that this town has
some elevations, mainly in the urban area. La Lomabeen the ideal place to celebrate the Festival of
de la Cruz (The Cross Hill) with its 75 meters aboveAfrican Roots, WEMILERE, which since 1989, always
sea level, for instance, is an excellent place whereduring the last week of November, gathers experts
the visitor can have a superb view not only of theon the topic, researchers, practicing people, plastic
town, but also of the Havana Bay and a great partartists, movie makers, dance groups from Cuba and
of the Havana City.other parts of the world, as well as other interested
A tour around the old quarter of the town will allowpeople who have found in this grand cultural festivity
you to enjoy an architectural legacy of immensethe essential nuances of a living tradition.