Now that travel restrictions have eased up to Cuba, wouldn’t it be a great time to indulge in some of the rich culture in this country? Cuba is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here is a little bit of information about each one.
Archaeological Landscape Of The First Coffee Plantations In The South East Of Cuba
These plantations are the remnants of what used to be a huge source of income for Cuba in the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can see the different techniques used in coffee cultivation at this site.
Historic Centre of Camagüey
Camagüey was settled in 1528 and was one of only seven villages that were first founded in Cuba by the Spanish. What makes this village so unique is that its design is rather erratic and irregular unlike the construction of other Spanish settlements found in Cuba.
Old Havana And Its Fortification System
Old Havana is full of history. It was built by Spanish colonists in 1519 and ended up being an influential place for ship building. There are many historical landmarks including the Great Theatre of Havana and La Cabana.
San Pedro De La Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba
The structure consists of a massive fort that was used to defend the port of Santiago de Cuba. It is complex in nature and features Renaissance and Italian architecture.
Trinidad And The Valley de Los Ingenios
Trinidad was founded in the 16th century and the sugar industry helped it prosper early on. In addition to the many sugar mills there are tobacco plantations as well as cattle ranches.
Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos
The first inhabitants in this city were French Immigrants. It wasn’t founded until 1819, but became a hub for trading coffee, tobacco and sugar cane because of its convenient location on the Bay of Cienfuegos.
Viñales Valley
Founded in 1875, Viñales Valley became a crucial part in tobacco cultivation. It was also the site of the Cuban Revolution and the Cuban War of Independence.
Alejandro de Humboldt National Park
This park is home to 16 endemic plant species in addition to the endangered Cuban Solenodon. Some of the largest rivers in the Insular Caribbean are found here as well.
Desembarco del Granma National Park
This park has an abundance of waterfalls and cliffs. It was named after the yacht that was used to transport individuals such as Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in the 26th of July Movement that was a crucial part to overthrowing Fulgencio Batista.
Other Sites
Three properties have been submitted and are on the tentative list to become a UNESCO World Heritage Sites as we;. These include:
– Ciénaga de Zapata National Park
– National Schools of Art, Cubanacán
– Reef System in the Cuban Caribbean (2003)
