CUBA Trip Continue...
Cuba Day 3 - Camaguey Colonial (City).
Camagüey.
Camagüey is a city and municipality in central Cuba and is the nation's third largest city. It is the capital of the Camagüey Province. After almost continuous attacks from pirates the original city (founded as Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe around 1515 on the northern coast) was moved inland in 1528. The new city was built with a confusing lay-out of winding alleys that made it easier to defend it from any raiders. There are many blind alleys and forked streets that lead to squares of different sizes. There is only one exit from the city; should pirates ever return and succeed in entering the city, the hope was that the local inhabitants would be able to entrap and kill them.
In July 2008, the old town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Source.
Price - 46(adult), 26(child) in CUBA peso. Hours - 8.00am to 5.30pm.
4th stop - Plaza del Carmen, an architectural jewel of Camagüey.
Camagüey City, Cuba (PL) Right at the historical center of this Cuban city, declared World Heritage Site last year, rests one of its most colorful places: the Plaza del Carmen, erected during the first decades of the 19th Century.
Its characteristic shape as well as the heterogeneous population that lives within its limits provides the Plaza with a singular charm.
Eventually, it has become into a recreational place for those who get there, from every place of the world, to get acquainted with a tradition-full environment.
Plaza del Carmen is currently a relevant architectonical gathering for the earlier Spanish settlement, founded in 1514; and it is also regarded as an important popular culture center.
The ambient is characterized by irregular patios and simple façades, even in those houses where the original front doors have been modified.
The Afro-Cuban folklore is very distinctive in this zone since, besides the presence of some African-origin councils, it was the place where many poor blacks and mulatos used to live. Source.
The locals.
The oldest women selling handmade dolls to the tourists.
More local people.
From the Plazuela del Pozo de Gracia (18th Century) also known as Plazoleta de Bedoya, you can see the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Temple.
The Franciscan father Valencia supported the edification of both the church (an authentic architectural jewel finished in 1825, the only temple showing two towers in town) as well as the woman’s hospital (1823).
The Monastery is also part of the ensemble, it was the place where teaching intended for women was first established in town, back in 1829, after a religious order was passed in 1817.
The old house is a characteristic example of the conservation of the spirit of the 19th Century in this part of Cuba.
There are thick pillars, stained glasses, arches and Spanish doors in the beautiful interior patio combined with an Eclectic Style façade, marked by Neo-Gothic shield-shaped arches.
Many insiders affirm that the constructive culture on the inhabitants of Camagüey reached its higher point with this architectonical aggregate, considered nowadays one of the most important ones in town.
After a complete refurbishing initiated in 1997, it became the headquarters of the Office of the Historian of Camagüey City, known as OHCC. Source.
The Franciscan father Valencia supported the edification of both the church (an authentic architectural jewel finished in 1825, the only temple showing two towers in town) as well as the woman’s hospital (1823).
The Monastery is also part of the ensemble, it was the place where teaching intended for women was first established in town, back in 1829, after a religious order was passed in 1817.
The old house is a characteristic example of the conservation of the spirit of the 19th Century in this part of Cuba.
There are thick pillars, stained glasses, arches and Spanish doors in the beautiful interior patio combined with an Eclectic Style façade, marked by Neo-Gothic shield-shaped arches.
Many insiders affirm that the constructive culture on the inhabitants of Camagüey reached its higher point with this architectonical aggregate, considered nowadays one of the most important ones in town.
After a complete refurbishing initiated in 1997, it became the headquarters of the Office of the Historian of Camagüey City, known as OHCC. Source.
Besides collaborating with the preservation of the architectural patrimony, the OHCC has an extraordinary positive influence on the social environment of the Plaza, which has been turned into a socio-cultural show.
A beautiful gathering of sculptures designed by famous Cuban artist Martha Jiménez recreates some of the characters who lived in the urban space not long ago.
One of them, Gerardo García Prado (Matao), who modeled for the sculpture “Waterman” still enjoys telling the tourists stories from the community and the city, which celebrates the first anniversary of the Declaration as World Heritage Site.
Curious lens often cannot avoid taking pictures of the fabulous works devoted to “The newspaper reader”, “The gossipers” and “The couple in love” which take people back in time to old days in the city.
El Carmen has also become a perfect stage for music concerts, Arts expositions as well as cultural events.
It is very common to see brides and grooms as well as 15 years old girls taking their pictures there during their party ceremonies.
Nearby is the Callejón de Tula Oms; also called Misery Alley since it is only 8m large and 2m wide.
El Carmen and the people who live there are the heirs of the rich Spanish and Republican patrimony of a city always willing to narrate or repeat legends, legends that continue increasing every day. Source.
A beautiful gathering of sculptures designed by famous Cuban artist Martha Jiménez recreates some of the characters who lived in the urban space not long ago.
One of them, Gerardo García Prado (Matao), who modeled for the sculpture “Waterman” still enjoys telling the tourists stories from the community and the city, which celebrates the first anniversary of the Declaration as World Heritage Site.
Curious lens often cannot avoid taking pictures of the fabulous works devoted to “The newspaper reader”, “The gossipers” and “The couple in love” which take people back in time to old days in the city.
El Carmen has also become a perfect stage for music concerts, Arts expositions as well as cultural events.
It is very common to see brides and grooms as well as 15 years old girls taking their pictures there during their party ceremonies.
Nearby is the Callejón de Tula Oms; also called Misery Alley since it is only 8m large and 2m wide.
El Carmen and the people who live there are the heirs of the rich Spanish and Republican patrimony of a city always willing to narrate or repeat legends, legends that continue increasing every day. Source.
The Waterman.
The newspaper reader.
The gossipers.
The couple in love.
The lazy boy.
Half way up the street is this restaurant. We stop here for lunch.
Everybody hungry.
The foods was excellent.
AB sharing her bread with her brother. Yes, that's how sprite tin looks like in CUBA.
Catholic church.
To be continue...
Comments
suka tengok 'the lazy boy' tu, hahaha!
CathJ - Ya, semua rumah colorful.
Amanda - Thanks, no problem :).
Jj - Thanks. Will follow you too.
Dinas Aldi - Haha.