Tourism in Sancti Spíritus, Cuba

Feel the Cuban history having a walk by the calm colonial city of Sancti Spíritus which will trap you with its legends and traditions.

Sancti Spíritus
© Manfred Webler

Sancti Spíritus is the capital of the province with the same name, which is located in the central area of Cuba Island. Settled by the shore of the Yayabo River, it was founded the 4th July 1514 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, around 8 kilometers far from its current location. In 1522 it was moved to the shore of the Yayabo River, its current place. It was the starting point of the Spanish conquest of the Yucatán.

Plaza Fundación de la Ciudad Square, Sancti Spiritus

Plaza Fundación de la Ciudad Square
© Wilder Mendez

Bridge Yayabo River
© Eric Alarie

In Sancti Spíritus, you do not have to search the history, it comes to you while you are having a walk through the narrow streets, or by its bridge above the Yayabo River, through its squares… Wherever you look history will show up, full of legends and traditions. It preserves its historical center of the colonial architecture from the 17the and 19th centuries which enriched this city, highlighting the Principal Theater, the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor Parish Church and the Bridge above the Yayabo River. It was the fourth among the first 7 villages in the island and the only one with a Latin name.

Although it is located in the center of the island, this is the Cuban city where you can enjoy the most of nature, due to its closeness with the Zaza Lake, the tobacco areas and the mountainous areas. One of the most fascinating nature places to see are the Hornos de Cal Caves and the Sierra de Banao Caves. The first ones owe its beauty to the characteristic formations and they were inhabited by indigenous Indians on the Pre-Columbian age, and the second ones stand about because this is the place where former inhabitants found archeological remains.

In this city you can enjoy popular traditions such as agricultural or popular art fairs. Outstanding the Industrial and Agricultural Winter Fair, with exhibitions of the industrial and farming developments, of the El Santiago Espirituano, which origin lays on religious celebrations form 1655. The last one is celebrated on the 25th July, when the guayabera is dressed up and there are floats parades, costumes, dancing areas and krewes.

This authentic city with a lot of history and traditions which is essential to visit.

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