The
homonym capital city of the Santiago de Cuba province was founded
by Diego Velázquez in 1515, by the mouth of river Paradas,
but shortly after was moved to its actual location. In 1520, its
cathedral was built and six years after that it was destroyed by
a fire. During the first half of the 16th century, Santiago de Cuba
was the capital of the country and official residence of the Spanish
governors; from 1553 on, Havana took its place. The first economical
activity was gold ore mining, but it soon was over. The discovery
of copper ore made possible the exploitation of the first mine in
Cuba: El Cobre, located near the city of Santiago. It was soon a
target for greedy pirates and privateers that constantly raided
it. The most famous of its attackers was the French Jacques de Sores.
To protect themselves from such sacks, the authorities of the city
started the construction of a defensive system around the city.
The Socapa battery, the Castillo de la Estrella, and that of San
Pedro de la Roca (frequently addressed as Morro) have survived until
these days. The latter was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO
in 1997.
Santiago de Cuba proudly bears the title of Hero City of the Republic
of Cuba. Several relevant events took place in that scenario, and
the most important on July 26, 1953. That day, a group of young
fighters led by Fidel Castro took the arms and attacked the Moncada
garrison. This action marked the beginning of a decisive stage in
the struggle for national liberation.
There is a great deal of places where the visitor can know about
our history and the people who has made it. Undoubtedly, one of
the most important is the funerary monument of the Santa Ifigenia
cemetery, where the mortal remains of National Hero, José
Martí lie.
Paradas,
but shortly after was moved to its actual location. In 1520, its
cathedral was built and six years after that it was destroyed by
a fire. During the first half of the 16th century, Santiago de Cuba
was the capital of the country and official residence of the Spanish
governors; from 1553 on, Havana took its place. The first economical
activity was gold ore mining, but it soon was over. The discovery
of copper ore made possible the exploitation of the first mine in
Cuba: El Cobre, located near the city of Santiago. It was soon a
target for greedy pirates and privateers that constantly raided
it. The most famous of its attackers was the French Jacques de Sores.
To protect themselves from such sacks, the authorities of the city
started the construction of a defensive system around the city.
The Socapa battery, the Castillo de la Estrella, and that of San
Pedro de la Roca (frequently addressed as Morro) have survived until
these days. The latter was declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO
in 1997
.
