The oldest Spanish Colonial Villas founded in Cuba

Our island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 when he landed on the shores near the actual villa of Holguín. It was his second discovery in the new continent, after the Bahamas. During the 16th Century, the conqueror Diego Velázquez led a colonization campaign from the east to the west of the island. Of this campaign, the seven first colonial villas in Cuba were born: Baracoa, Bayamo, Trinidad, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba, Camagüey (formerly called Puerto Príncipe), and La Habana. 

1

1511 | Baracoa

It was the first villa and capital, originally called Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa, located on a bay in the northeastern side of Cuba. La Cruz de La Parra, one of the 29 cruxes that Columbus planted on the American lands during his trips, is still preserved and exhibited in the Mayor Church of this villa. 

Surrounded by people with good Caribbean vibes, its main economic activities are the Cocoa and Robusta Coffee production, and its widely known and delicious coconut desserts.

With a special and diverse flora and fauna, Baracoa immediately attracts also all nature lovers and adventurous tourists. It has more than sixty archaeological sites that were part of the Taino culture, the most advanced of the indigenous communities on the island by the time the Spaniards landed. 

2

1513 | Bayamo

Cradle of the Cuban nationality, Bayamo is the capital of the southeastern province of Granma, and the second largest city in Cuba. It is the reason why we celebrate every year the Day of the Cuban Culture, and it’s considered a National Monument. 

Rich in traditions and history, a city whose inhabitants preferred to see burning before giving it away to the Spaniards, it was the center of national events like the beginning of the Independence War against Spain in 1868 and the birth of “La Bayamesa”, our National Hymn. Today, Bayamo still preserves some original buildings that were made before the big fire, and its people still move around on horse carriages, like they did in colonial times.

Its industries are quite wide, remarking the milk and dairy products production, like condensed milk, ice cream, and cheese, and other industries like sugar and meat.

3

1514 | Trinidad and Sancti Spíritus

Originally called Magón by the indigenous communities that lived in that area, located in the south center of Cuba, it began like a small primitive villa living only from the meat production and trading, and developed into the most important sugarcane producing city in the world. All thanks to the entrepreneurship of its people.

Even if going to Cuba -doesn't matter which part- is like a time travel, it's in Trinidad where you're going to experience it the most. Walking through its cobblestone streets and historical plazas, in front of the high-ceiling houses with red-tile roofs, will immerse you in the authentic early 19th Century.

It's also the city where the guayabera (cuban traditional buttoned shirt) was born. The name comes from the words yayabero, gentilic of the peoples living around the Yayabo river, in the outsides of Sancti Spíritus, and guayaba (the guava fruit), because the farmers always used to carry a guava in the pocket of the shirt as a quick snack.

4

1515 | Santiago de Cuba

Located on a bay in the southeastern side of the island, Santiago is recognized as the Capital City of History.

With the traditonal Morisco accent of its inhabitants, it's the city where the bolero (one of the Cuban traditional music styles) was born, in the late 1800s'. It's where the first coffe plantations in Cuba existed, today among the most important products of our national production. Its cemetery shelters the remains of José Martí, our National Hero and Intellectual Leader of the Independence War, and the mausoleum of Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution. The Revolution, in fact, started in this same city in 1953 with the assault of Cuartel Moncada, one of Batista's Headquarters .

There are 15 museums y numerous cultural insitutions in the historic center, and by the bay there's the Castle of San Pedro de la Roca, declared UNESCO Heritage for being the best preserved example of colonial military architecture.

5

1519 | Camagüey

Located in the heart of Cuba, founded under the name of Santa María del Puerto Príncipe, the name was changed later to honour Camagüebax, the aboriginal chief of that area. It's the biggest province, though the least populated, so their main economic activity is the cattle.

Camagüey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage thanks to a unique characteristic in the city's engineering: its streets were built with total disorder, trying to recreate a massive labyrinth, under the purpose to confuse the pirates that were trying to attack the city during the colonial times.

6

1519 | San Cristóbal de La Habana

Capital City and most popular tourist destination in Cuba, built around a beautiful bay in the north shore of the western region. With luxurious hotels, fancy restaurants, night clubs and cabarets, good beaches, and the colonial historic centre Old Havana, this city has also been declared a UNESCO World Heritage.

You will find in Havana a more rushed life style, not as peaceful as in the rural areas. It's a city with a lot of movement, people going to work, taking the public transportation, doing shoppings, or just hanging around. In Havana there's the biggest culture mix you will ever find, from bohemians, hippies, rockers, and rastas, to rappers, reguetoneros, Afrocuban religous people and catholic people.

It's impossible to define Havana in words, in a city you must see with your own eyes.

These historical gems are a unique travel experience, offering a glimpse into the past and showcasing the architectural beauty of the colonial era. Whether you are a history buff or simply looking for an unforgettable trip, you should explore these villas and immerse in Cuba's rich history and culture.