Camaguey

Camagüey: where history and charm merge.

Exploring Camaguey Cuba

Camaguey, capital of the province of the same name, located to the east center of the Republic of Cuba. It is also known as “The City of the Tinajones”, and was founded in 1514 by the Spanish conqueror Diego Velázquez having called it then Santa MarÌa del Puerto del Príncipe, due to its original location.

History

The city of Camaguey in Cuba was declared a National Monument on October 10, 1978. The Historic Center, which covers an area of 330 hectares, one of the largest in the nation.

Main Sights

  • Plaza del Carmen
  • Casa de Arte Jover
  • Martha JimÈnez PÈrez
  • Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte
  • Estudio-GalerÌa Jover
  • Plaza San Juan de Dios
  • Parque Ignacio Agramonte
  • Necropolis de Camaguey Cuba
  • Mercado Agropecuario Jatibonico

Plaza del Carmen

Around 600m west of the frenzy of República sits another sublimely beautiful square, one less-visited than the central plazas.

It’s backed on the eastern side by the masterful Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, one of the prettiest city churches.

Little more than a decade ago Plaza del Carmen was a ruin, but it’s now restored to a state better than the original. The cobbled central space has been infused with giant tinajones (clay pots), atmospheric street lamps and unique life-sized sculptures of camag¸eyanos going about their daily business (reading newspapers and gossiping, mostly).

Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte

The birthplace of independence hero Ignacio Agramonte (1841ñ73), the cattle rancher who led the Camagüey area’s revolt against Spain. The house ñ an elegant colonial building in its own right ñ tells of the oft-overlooked role of Camag¸ey and Agramonte in the First War of Independence. The hero’s gun is one of his few personal possessions displayed.

Plaza San Juan de Dios

Looking more Mexican than Cuban (Mexico was capital of New Spain so the colonial architecture was often superior), Plaza San Juan de Dios is Camaguey’s most picturesque and beautifully preserved corner. Its eastern aspect is dominated by the Museo de San Juan de Dios, formerly a hospital. Worthwhile restaurants lurk Behind the square’s arresting blue, yellow and pink building facades.