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Sancti Spiritus City

Capital of Sancti Spiritus Province

Maybe not as beautiful as Trinidad, but the villas in Sancti Spiritus have not lost their beauty of the past. The old center of the city was build from until 1514 where you can see the "Iglesia Parroquial Mayor del Espiritu Santo" build in 1522, and rebuild in the 17th century with the same materials because the church has been a victim of pirates several times. The church and the pitoresque houses on Calle El Llano, as well the Puente Yayayo bridge are national monuments ...

The City of Sancti Spíritus Though captial of Sancti Spíritus Province, is a fairly minor city in terms of economic importance. With a population of about 100,000 , Sancti Spíritus is not a large city compared with other provincial captials around Cuba. Sancti Spíritus was one of the original seven Cubans cities founded by the Spanish in 1514. Its colonial origins are evident in its buildings and layout, though it's capital status has lent it a more commerical atmosphere. Histrorically, Sancti Spíritus has been somewhat neglected by Spanish governments as well as more recent dictatorships, and as such has been quite loyal to the various revolutions in Cuban history. During the Revolution of 1959, Sancti Spíritus aided Che Guevara's division of the rebel army with hundreds of volunteer fighters. Sancti Spíritus does not earn much tourist attention; for all its historic sites and attractions, it dims in comparison with the exquisitely preserved colonial city of Trinidad to the south. Tourists heading through the province generally go south, enjoying the nature and wildlife, stop in Trinidad to take it the colonial sights and sounds, and then head on south to the beaches. Sancti Spíritus is therefore relatively tourist-free. The city is located just a few miles from Presa Zaza, the island's largest lake. Presa Zaza is a manmade lake from the dam on the river Río Zaza. Despite any images of dirty shores and oily water this may conjure up, Presa Zaza is a beatiful setting. The area around it is now a pristine wetlands, home to many species of fish and waterfoul, so much so that it is a tourist attraction for the hunting.

To Do in Sancti Spiritus

Agricultural Fair

Built in 1938, the Fair is north of the heart of the city. Run by the Cuban Ranchers Association, it became an emblematic site for cattle exhibitions, rodeo competitions and commercial events in central Cuba.
At present, the place gets crowded over the weekends.

Antigua Cárcel de Sancti Spíritus

Bartolomé Masó s/n, e/Anglona
y Mirto, Sancti Spíritus

Antigua Villa de Sancti Spíritus

Centro Histórico Urbano
Sancti Spíritus

Avenidad de Los Martires (The Martyrs Avenue)

A broad boulevard that begins around three blocks east from Serafin Sanchez Park.
Yet, some of the local residents call it by its former name "Marcos Garcia Avenue", honoring a city mayor prior to the revolution era, when the wide street became a place to honor Cuban martyrs.

Camejo Plaza (Hanoi Square)

The square was name "The Camejo Plaza" because its location next to Agustín Camejo's mansion.
At present, it is known under the name "Hanoi" the heroic capital of Vietnam, as a homage of the local people to the brave people of Vietnam.

Colonia Española Building

It formerly belonged to the Society of Instruction and Recess founded specially to increase cultural platform of the Spanish wealthy gentlemen in the colonial days, and to which only white people were allowed to enter.
It constitutes along with the Major Church, a paramaount architectural jewel of the city. In the early years of the Revolution, it was converted into a place for entertainment of the former "Bernardo Arias Castillo" Social Labor Union.

Colonial hotel

A mammoth household of earlier 19th century. However, it looks like a classical 18th century building.
Since early last century, the house serves as modest hotel for visitors.

Conrado Benítez Cinema

Built in 1920 in an eclectic style, was initially a remarkably theater, but as the city became more and more populated, it was transformed into a cinema.
It is across Serafín Sánchez Park, in the heart of the city.

Cultural Heritage Center

It's a 16th -century building that has underwent several restorations in its interior and exterior facades, and the enormous backyard.
It was the former house of a local Spanish top officer. Today it is the headquarters of a group of researchers in charge of the study on the historical-social wealth of the city.

Nuestra Señora de la Caridad Church

Built in 1717, the church was the center of the northern wing of the city. It was there where Serafín Sánchez, a local heroe was baptized.

Iglesia Parroquial Mayor del Sancti Spíritus

	Jesús Menéndez #1 Sancti Spíritus
A Roman-Baroque-style building and one of Cuba’s oldest and well-preserved churches. It was built four times: when the village was initially founded in 1514, after its transfer onto the Yayabo in 1522, and then in 1612, during the visit of Bishop Almendarez in 1680.

Julio Antonio Mella Primary School

Former Institute of Second Teaching, where many local patriots studied and dissented the ruling Spanish Crown.
It was then the headquarters of the revolutionary organization "13 of March", during the last struggle to topple Fulgencio Batista's dictatorship, a pro-American government.

Jose Marti University

A building laid out during the 1940s. It was a catholic school until 1959, when it was converted into Jose Marti Middle School by the revolutionary government.
At present, it's one of the local universities in the city of Sancti Spiritus.

José Antonio Huelga Stadium

This outdoor ballpark was the dream of everyone and his brother in the city until 1992, when the sport facility opened its doors under the name "José Antonio Huelga", homegrown right-hander considered one of the Cuban greatest baseball players of all times.

Llano Street

a quintessential cobbled street of a colonial city.
It is popularly known as LLano, although its current name is Calle Antonio Rodríguez.This 100-meter-long street is lined with quaint houses, wrought-iron balconies, hanging lanterns and wooden rejas

The Mesón de la Plaza (The Tavern of the Plaza)

A 18th century building.
It was the former house of a Spanish tycoon in a bustling square near the major church. In 1980, it became a tavern, and now is a facility run by Palmares Recreational Group

Mural de la Juventud (Mural of Youth)

A stone-and-brick painting on a wall on a bustling avenue.
It's the work by one of the most important young creators of the city, Julio Neira. It was dedicated to the progressive youth movements gathered in Cuba during the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students. It represents the big beret of the revolutionary icon Ernesto Che Guevara.

Museo de Ciencias Naturales

Máximo Gómez #2 Sur
Sancti Spíritus

Museum of Colonial Art

Plácido No. 74,
e/. Guairo y Pancho Jiménez
Sancti Spíritus

Built in 1750, south of the Major Church.
It was a property of one the richest family in Cuba, "Valles Iznaga". The mansion has a hundred of colossal colonial doors. In 1967, it was opened as the Museum of Colonial Art of Sancti Spiritus.

Museo Provincial Polivalente

Céspedes No. 11 Sur
Sancti Spíritus

Museo Casa Natal Serafín Sánchez

Céspedes #112 e/Sobral y San Cristóbal
Sancti Spíritus

It was built from 1810 -1820. It was the residence of the Sanchez Valdivia family. Today is a museum dedicated to the patriot-hero Serafin Sanchez Valdivia.

Plaza Jesus (Honorato Park)

Situated south of the colonial core of the city.
It changed its name "Plaza de Jesus" (Jesus Square) by "Honorato Park" in 1911. In this square, the Spanish Crown publicly hanged its foes. After that, the place converted a huge market for local vendors during the colonial days.

Plaza Nuestra Señora de la Caridad or Maceo Park

Adjacent to Nuestra Señora de la Caridad Church (The Church of Our Patron Saint Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre) is a park famed by its trade and social significance a long time ago. Since 1911, it's known as "Maceo Park" for Antonio Maceo, a Cuban heroe of the War of Independence.

Plaza San Francisco (Serafín Sánchez Park)

It's the center of the recreational, commercial and cultural life of the city.
It is surrounded by many neoclassical buildings, most of them museums and the impressive library. The park today is named for Serafin Sanchez, a homegrown general in the War for Independence.

Polideportivo Yayabo

It is the city's main indoor sports complex since the 1991 Pan-American Games.At present, the facility is venue for important national and international tournaments.

Puente Yayabo (Yayabo Bridge)

Monument
Jesús Menéndez y 26 de Julio
Sancti Spíritus

Built of cut stone in medieval style, the bridge was always a dream for the local residents in 18th century. But it was in 1817, when it was finally laid out. The bridge, considered the most distinctive symbol of the city, is also the only colonial stone bridge still extant in Cuba.

Quinta de Santa Elena

A neoclassical mansion on one the banks of the Yayabo River.
It was built by a well-to-do Andalusian for leisure. In actuality, it is a restaurant with international and traditional food run by "Rumbos" recreational group.

Rubén Martínez Villena Library

An old building owned by the former Progress Society.
Its lasted two years from 1927-29. When the Revolution took over the country, the huge two-story building was no longer a club for the local well-to-do class only, but for all Cubans

Teatro Principal

It's said that the local inhabitants volunteered to bear the wood and other heavy materials for the building's roof throughout 13 miles. Its construction lasted 11 months. On July 15, 1839, it opened its doors to public, becoming a resplendent hall for the artistic events of the time.

University Hospital Camilo Cienfuegos

Opened on July 27, 1986, with the most state-of-art medical technology of that time, the center provides free health service for local residents.
Right at its entrance there is stone image of revolutionary icon Camilo Cienfuegos, an important commander of the Revolution, along with Ernesto Guevara and Fidel Castro.

Sources & Links:

• Radio Sancti Spiritus
• Escambray.cu