This city is a delightful and interesting town with a history largely
different to that of the rest of the country. It is a pleasant city
which, because of its role as an important port, both domestically and
internationally, has a slightly more cosmopolitan feel about it than
most other areas in the south. The streets are straight and wide with
the Paseo del Prado, which dissects the city and extends out to the
peninsula's end, being the most important street. The street extends
south through the Punta Gorda area and north along th bay, there are
some excellent views to be had from here, especially at sunset when
the bay takes on a quiet and brooding appearance. If you visit this
city don't forget to see: Parque Jose Marti, on the eastern side of
it is the impressive Catedral de la Purisima Concepcion, which was built
in 1870. Also overlooking the park is the Provincial Government Palace,
a grand building with great columns and marble floors. Due west of the
park stands the Casa de la Cultura. Teatro Tomas Terry, situated on
the north side of the Parque Jose Marti, is a beautiful and impressive
structure whose facade is topped by three multi-coloured mosaic murals.
Museo Historico, which contains local military memorabilia that once
belonged to those who took part in the various struggles for independence
and freedom. Palacio del Valle, on the Punta Gorda, this Moorish style
country house was bought by Alejandro Suero Balbin. Its fading pink
colours fail to diminish the overall grandeur of the building which
contains some excellent furnishings and porcelains. The botanical gardens
is perhaps the most famed botanical garden in the country, housing over
2,000 tropical and sub-tropical plants. Among the impressive collection
of plant species are more than 200 types of palm trees of araceae, there
is also a collection of different types of palm trees indigenous to
Cuba. Playa Rancho Luna, situated 20km east of the city, is still very
quiet and secluded. The Castle of Our Lady of the Angels of Jagua, situated
22km from the city, was originally used by the Spanish as a small fort
to keep out smugglers who used to enter Jagua Bay to obtain fresh water
and food from the locals. It is now a much more subtantial structure
following the Spaniards' decision to develop it to defend the city from
the more forceful threat offered by the English navy during the war
between Spain and England.
