Santiago de Cuba Landmarks and Monuments

(Santiago de Cuba, Cuba)

As with many of the museums in Santiago de Cuba, man-made landmarks here tend to concentrate on the heroes of the various struggles for freedom undergone by the Cuban people over the last several hundred years.

The Plaza de la Revolucion is one such monument to the past and is central to city life, while other notable sights include the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, the City Hall (Ayuntamiento) and the Moncada Barracks (Cuartel Moncada). The city's other claim to fame as regards landmarks are its various parks and sites of natural beauty, including the spectacular Santiago de Cuba Bay itself, its beaches and its offshore islands.

Plaza de la Revolucion

Address: Plaza de la Revolucion, Avenida de las Americas, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
This imposing square resides in the very heart of the city and contains the massive equestrian statue of the much-loved 19th-century patriot Antonio Maceo (Antonio de la Caridad Maceo y Grajales - 1845 to 1896). The steel spikes which surround the statue symbolise the determination of the Cubans to gain independence.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Parque Cespedes

Address: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
The Parque Cespedes is made up of Constitution Square, the parade area and the former main square, and is home to a life-sized bronze image of the Father of Cuba, Carlos Manuel Cespedes. A favourite meeting place for locals, Parque Cespedes is surrounded by the city's finest colonial mansions and is a very appealing place to hang out, sit on a bench and enjoy the traditional Cuban street life passing by. Notable landmarks around the Parque Cespedes include the Casa de la Cultura Miguel Matamoros, the Casa de Diego Velazquez and the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Loma de San Juan

Address: Reparto Vista Alegre, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
This low hill lies right in the centre of one of Santiago de Cuba's upscale residential districts and is the site of the final battle of the Spanish-Cuban American War, which took place between Teddy Roosevelt's army and the Spanish forces. At the foot of the hill is the Tree of Surrender, where the Spanish surrendered to the US general. The poignant Tomb of the Unknown Mambi (rebel fighter) is nearby.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

City Hall (Ayuntamiento)

Address: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
The City Hall was built in 1950, after being designed from a native Indian archived style, and witnessed Fidel Castro's very first public speech after the overthrow of the dictator Batista. This famous speech was actually given from the central balcony to the Cuban people below on January 1st 1959.
Open hours: closed to the public
Admission: view from exterior only

Casa Fidel Castro

Address: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
Ex-President of Cuba and leader of the revolution Fidel Castro spent three years living in this very house when he was a student at the city's university. Santiago de Cuba was the city in which the Communist revolution was first launched and has become subsequently known as the 'city of heroes'. Expect to find many revolution-related exhibits at the Casa Fidel Castro.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption (Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion)

Address: Parque Cespedes, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
The imposing white towered frontage of this cathedral is neo-classical in character, with the majority of the building dating back to 1922, although some parts are more than 400 years old. With five naves and an interesting history of pirate attacks, the cathedral has enjoyed much restoration work and boasts an impressive altar, which is dedicated to the Virgen de la Caridad. Reputedly, the remains of famous colonial governor and Spanish painter Diego Velazquez are interred here, but no-one is quite sure.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Plaza de Marte

Address: Plaza de Marte, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
Serving as the gateway to the Casco Historico area, the Plaza de Marte is a pleasant spot to stroll around, although in the 19th-century, this square was the place where the Spanish chose to publicly execute their prisoners by firing squad. Today, visitors will find keen baseball fans regularly gathered in the Esquina Caliente area to discuss the merits of the game. Also here are numerous plants and flowers, as well as a tall liberty monument, while close by is the Museo Tomas Romay and its host of natural history exhibits.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Moncada Barracks (Cuartel Moncada)

Address: Avenida Moncada, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, CU
Tel: +53 022 62 0157
The Moncada Barracks are an especially famous landmark in Santiago de Cuba and named after renowned Cuban War of Independence general, Guillermo Moncada. Dating back to the late 1930s and boasting fortress-like crenelations, the original barracks were built here by the Spanish in the middle of the 19th century. Following the Revolution, the Cuartel Moncada was converted into a school, and is today something of a museum, with artefacts relating to its colourful past.
Open hours: Monday to Saturday - 09:00 to 17:00, Sunday - 09:00 to 13:00
Admission: charge