Nestled between the sea and the mountains, this beautiful old city is a perfect
example of Spanish colonial architecture in Cuba. The narrow cobblestone streets
wind through this Caribbean paradise, lined with beautiful examples of colonial
houses built in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
From the Manaca-Iznaga tower, visitors can enjoy a view over the spectacular
Valle de los Ingenios, where the mansions of colonial plantations demonstrate
the opulence of bygone times. Plaza Mayor has been a heart of Trinidad’s
social life for centuries, and is considered one of the best examples of colonial
city planning in Cuba. Facing the plaza are two important buildings, the Parroquial
Mayor and the Hostal del Rijo.
Trinidad also houses a number of museums worth visiting, such as the Museo
de Arquitectura, or Museum of Architecture, which includes great examples of
sculpted wood, and the Museo Municipal General de Trinidad, which houses a collection
of objects relating to Trinidad’s history, such as armour, furniture,
artworks and documents.
Nearby, the city of Sancti Spiritus is also worth a visit. Sancti Spiritus,
unlike Trinidad, continues to flourish today, and is the region’s economic
cent for sugar, tobacco, and cattle trade. Journeys into the countryside are
also rewarding. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing time on the nearby beaches, or
take a number of walks into the Escambray Mountains, which shadow Trinidad and
the Sancti Spiritus region with their rugged beauty.
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