Information Camagüey

PROVINCE AND CITY OF CAMAGÜEY

Camagüey is the largest of Cuba’s 14 provinces. It is located in the central-eastern Cuba, between the provinces of Ciego de Ávila and Las Tunas.

The city of Camagüey is the third largest in the country and has a population of around 310 000. The city was founded in February 1514 as Santa María del Puerto del Principe in a site near of the present Nuevitas. This original village was one of the seven first villages established by the Spanish conqueror Diego Velázquez in Cuba. In 1528 the town was re-established in its current site after been moved twice. The final settlement of the city was selected for its suitable conditions for the defence (in its first years the original village was shaken by Indian rebellions). Despite these preventative measures, the city was sacked twice, once of them (1668) by the famous English pirate Henry Morgan.

The historic centre of Camagüey is the largest in Cuba and it is characterized by its white colonial buildings in which the Hispanic-Arabic features are very well defined. Most of these colonial buildings and houses have lush gardens hidden away in their courtyards. Other characteristics of the city’s old part are the narrow labyrinthine streets that double back on themselves and the many churches and public squares. Camagüey is also known as city of tinajones for the huge clay pots kept in the courtyards to provide a supply of cool water during the frequent droughts. The city is still full of these beautiful tinajones.

Distances between Camagüey and other main Cuban cities (in Kilometres)

To the west

Pinar del Río: 744

C. Habana: 558

Matanzas: 469

Varadero: 463

Cienfuegos: 337

Santa Clara: 271

Santi Spíritus: 185

Ciego de Avila: 110

To the east

Las Tunas: 123

Holguín: 200 (northeast)

Bayamo: 199 (southeast)

Santiago de Cuba: 326

Guantánamo: 375

1- WHAT TO SEE IN THE CITY

In Camagüey, as in many Cuban cities, the churches are among the most attractive constructions. These are the most representative churches in the city.

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad. A huge red brick building erected in 1775. Inside there are lovely baroque frescos. (Corner of República and Ave. Agramonte)

Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Merced. This is an imposing colonial church built in 1748 and rebuilt a century later. It has a small museum below the main altar. (Ave. Agramonte).

Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria. Built during the 19th century this cathedral occupies the site of an earlier church of 1530.

Museums and emblematic buildings

Museo Provincial Ignacio Agramonte. One of the most largest museums in Cuba. The building, erected in 1848, was a hotel for many years and only in 1948 the museums was installed here with collections relating decorative and fine arts, history and natural history (Avenida de los Martires and Calle Ignacio Sánchez at No. 2).

Museo Casa natal Ignacio Agramonte. Opposite Iglesia La Merced. This house was the birth place of the patriot Ignacio Agramonte (1841-1873). This hero is very well remembered everywhere in the city (Ave. Agramonte No. 59 at Independencia.)

Casa Natal de Nicolás Guillén. In this house the mulato poet Nicolás Guillén was born on July, 1902. Guillén who died in 1989 has been recognized as the Cuban National Poet. (Corner of Principe and Hermanos Aguero at No. 58).

Teatro Principal. Impressive theatre erected in 1850. It has remarkable chandeliers and stained glass. The theatre houses the second most famous ballet company in Cuba, the Ballet of Camagüey.

Palacio de Justicia. Beautiful neoclassical building erected in 1800. Opposite is the former Spanish Club, current ´Centro de Promoción Cultural Ibero Americana´. (Calle Cisneros at No. 253).

Other emblematic buildings of the city are the Museo Estudiantil Camagüeyano or Casa Jesus Suáres Gayol and the Hospital de San Juan de Dios.

Among the most attractive parks and public squares are Parque Ignacio Agramonte with its equestrian statue of the Camagüey’s hero (Calle Cisneros) and Plaza San Juan de Dios which is, undoubtedly, one of the most beautiful spot in the old colonial city.

2- Outside the city

Santa Lucia beach. One of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba with around 13 miles of fine golden white sands. The beach is protected by a long coral reef just a mile front the shore which provide a perfect scenery for scuba diving. (112 km. northeast of Camagüey city).

Cayo Sabinal. Located very close of Santa Lucia, this cay has intimate beaches and inland woods and meadows with a wonderful flora and fauna, (especially the Pink Flamingos).

Bay of Nuevitas. Home of large flocks of the beautiful Pink Flamingos. (Around 85 km. northeast of Camagüey city).

Sierra de Cubitas. Ecological Preserve with caves of great archaeological and speleological value and an attractive flora and fauna. The variety of birds and the wonderful view of the landscape make of this site an ideal one for photography lovers.