Tradition and history come together in the city of Trinidad, located in the province of Sancti Spíritus, on the south coast of the central region of Cuba, 370 km. from Havana. Founded at the beginning of the 16th century in honor of the Holy Trinity, the city was the third town founded by the Spanish on the island of Cuba. Trinidad was the bridgehead for the conquest of the American continent, and was home to rich landowners who built beautiful mansions and palaces. This fascinating place, also known as the city-museum of the Caribbean, is considered a National Monument and is one of the most attractive destinations for those who prefer to go on vacation to Cuba.

This city is recognized as an architectural jewel. Frozen in the past, Trinidad exhibits a unique site, where the beauty of its almost intact colonial style gives the city the credit of being one of the most complete and best preserved colonial architectural ensembles in the American continent, a true invitation to take pictures. Its houses and churches, its colonial mansions converted into museums, all of Trinidad reminds us of ancient times, as a kind of nostalgic evocation of the colonial era.

Trinidad offers many interesting cultural attractions for your vacation in Cuba. Among them are the Manaca-Iznaga tower, located in the area where one of the most influential families in the region made his fortune, the Valle de los Ingenios, the beaches, the Sierra Tope de Collantes, as well as the craft traditions. that characterizes the small town. Its town center stands out for its cobbled streets and attractive buildings protected and decorated by uniquely shaped railings.

Thanks to the rich urban fabric, squares and beautiful buildings dating from the Spanish colonial era, Trinidad has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, along with the nearby Valle de los Ingenios.

The visitor can appreciate the architecture of its buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries, such as the Palacio Brunet and the Palacio Cantero, which were built at the time of the city’s prosperity derived from the sugar trade. A combination of neoclassical and baroque styles in Trinidad’s architecture bears witness to a history of opulence and wealth.

The city of Trinidad is an important tourist attraction on the island. The best places of interest are found in the historic center where a visit to the Plaza Mayor has become very popular due to its surroundings notable residences of the city: the house of councilor Ortíz, today the Benito Ortíz Art Gallery, the house of the Padrón ( Guamuhaya Archeology Museum), the Palace of Count Brunet (Romantic Museum), and the house of the Sánchez Iznaga family (Architecture Museum). Another attraction of the city is the Iglesia Mayor de la Santísima Trinidad, considered one of the largest churches in Cuba that brings together several pieces of great value such as the Cristo de la Vera Cruz and an altar dedicated to the Virgen de la Merced.

Around the Plaza Mayor you can admire other outstanding buildings such as the Palacio Cantero, where the History Museum is currently located; I also suggest visiting other places of cultural interest such as the Casa de la Trova and the Casa de la Música. In the same way, the visitor can make a stop at the Canchánchara bar, to taste a traditional drink of the same name, made with brandy, honey and lemon.

Close to the city, an excursion that cannot be missing from every visitor’s itinerary is a visit to the San Luis Valley, also called Valle de los Ingenios, since in the 18th century it was full of sugar mills. This valley is a true archaeological monument of the sugar industry as numerous ruins of facilities related to the manufacture of sugar have been preserved, such as sugar mills, large slave cabins, summer houses, etc. I recommend admiring the elegant bell tower of the Manaca-Iznaga tower that was formerly used to watch over the slaves. In this valley the visitor can enjoy the countryside; horseback riding, excursions to caves and rivers and towns like San Pedro, considered the Natural Museum of African Culture in Cuba.

Other sites are the Mirador de La Vigía with a wonderful view of the region, the Plaza de Carrillo, also known as the Parque Céspedes where the Parish of San Francisco de Paula, built in the 19th century, is located. Nearby is also the Daikiri Cafeteria Bar and Casa Fisher, places chosen by Casa Artex to organize numerous cultural activities. In addition, one of the best views of the city is obtained from the tower of the Convent of San Francisco de Asís.

Lovers of culture and history will find in the city of Trinidad and its surroundings a unique place to spend their vacations. You can walk through its cobbled streets and appreciate its diversity of styles, visit its museums and its cultural facilities, and enjoy the work of local pottery, handicrafts, weaving, music and dance artists; living the rhythm of a city full of customs and traditions, where popular culture will captivate any guest.

In addition, very close to the city, you can discover the mountainous area of ​​Topes de Collantes, just 19 kilometers away; an ideal place for the various existing variants of ecotourism and health tourism; while to the south, on the Ancón Peninsula, is the best beach on the south coast of the country: Playa Ancón.

Museums, churches, sugar mills, buildings, squares and small squares of Trinidad, the city-museum of the Caribbean Sea, constitute one of the highest expressions of national history available. This, combined with its friendly and welcoming people, makes this city an excellent choice for your vacation in Cuba.