| ext">Once Fernandina de Jagua, Cienfuegos was | | | | such as those of the lions and the arbors, built in |
| awarded the title of city in 1880, and in | | | | 1922. |
| July 2005, its Historic Center became a World | | | | Near the historic center, you’ll find the |
| Heritage Site, an award of international | | | | boulevard, with small businesses, libraries, banks, |
| acknowledgement rewarding the splendor, | | | | companies’ offices, and a Casa del Habano |
| preservation and particular architecture of an area | | | | (House of Habano Cuban cigar) of first class. La |
| stretching for 70 blocks. Among these blocks was | | | | Unión Hotel, small, but cozy, is one of the |
| the one serving as starting point for the | | | | architectural beauties renovated a few years ago |
| foundation of the village by French colonists on | | | | as part of the effort to preserve its patrimonial |
| April 22nd, 1819. This was the only Cuban city | | | | value. A walk along the Paseo del Prado, the |
| established by representatives of the gala nation. | | | | longest in the Island, will help you assess the |
| Cienfuegos has also been known as the Pearl of | | | | history of Cienfuegos’ architecture, and a |
| the South, and others have called it la Ciudad de | | | | visit to the two cemeteries, La Reina and the |
| las Cúpulas (the City of Domes), for the amount | | | | monumental Tomás de Acea, must not be |
| of buildings whose towers end in domes. The | | | | skipped. |
| architecture of the city is one of its charms and it | | | | The bay of Cienfuegos, stretching for 88 km2, is |
| can be admired in the very José Martí Park, | | | | perfect for fishing in all seasons. Lately, its calm |
| former Plaza de Armas, where a rosette indicates | | | | waters have been the location of many important |
| the exact place over which the blocks of the city | | | | contests of motorboating and international |
| started to rise. | | | | regattas. Palacio de Vale and Jagua Hotel in Punta |
| Perfectly preserved buildings define the | | | | Gorda, at the end of the bay, are the most |
| environment of the Martí Park. Among them | | | | visited and attractive spots for maritime tourism. |
| we can find Tomás Terry Theater, where | | | | Very close to this place, the Cienfuegos Club |
| figures of international prestige have performed | | | | offers numerous nautical options. |
| their art such as the Italian Enrico Carucco, Sara | | | | The nearby Guamuhaya Mountains is an ideal |
| Bernhardt, and the Mexican movie star Jorge | | | | place for hiking, taking baths in natural pools, |
| Negrete. There is also the Colegio San Lorenzo, | | | | waterfalls, and rivers, and visiting Soledad Botanical |
| former School of Arts and Jobs; the Cathedral of | | | | Garden, one of the biggest in Latin America, just |
| Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, with its | | | | 20 km from the city, featuring important |
| stunning stained glasses; the Palacio de Gobierno; | | | | collections of cactus and palms (more than 300 |
| and the Casa del Fundador (The Founder’s | | | | types) |
| House), residence of Luis D’ Clouet, | | | | Cienfuegos is a cosmopolitan and very lively city; |
| founder of the village. The Arc of the Republic | | | | boleros, ballads, trova and son do not stop playing |
| enriches the environment, the only of its type in | | | | at night. |
| Cuba, along with a bunch of marvelous sculptures | | | | |