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Bayamo

San Salvador de Bayamo is the second of the seven villages founded by Diego Velázquez. The area, where an indigenous community once settled down next to the shores of a river was finally established on November 5 th,1513. Bayamo is considered to be the “birthplace of the Cuban Nation”. Many outstanding historic events took place in this city: Cuba’s National Anthem was sung for the first time here; the village is admired for having been the capital of the First Republic in Arms during the 19th - century war for independence; it was its inhabitants' decision in early 1869 to set their own town on fire rather than to see it fall intact into the colonizers' hands. Built in a Colonial style, the city has public squares, majestic mansions and a very old cathedral. One of Bayamo's most deeply-rooted traditions is that of taking horse-and-buggy rides. These vehicles are the most appropriate means for exploring the city's narrow streets and viewing some of its most important buildings and squares.

Attractions

Plaza de la Revolución (Parque Céspedes) Dominated by a statue of the Cuban nation’s father and hero of the first Cuban war for independence, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, this is the main square of the city. Daily life revolves around it and most major buildings of the city are found there: the Cultural Center, the Royalton Hotel, the offices of the Poder Popular and the historic Pedrito Café.

Plaza del Himno It was named Square of the Hymn after La Bayamesa, the Cuban National Anthem, which was first played in the church here in October 20, 1868. There is a monument here dedicated to this event with a sculpture of Perucho Figuredo, the author of the words and music of the Cuban Anthem. There is also a bronze plaque engraved with the lyrics and the music of the anthem.

Casa Natal de Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Probably the most architecturally important building in the city, this house faces the Plaza de la Revolución. In this house the leading figure of the first Cuba war against Spain was born in April of 1819. This beautiful, two-story Colonial building features a great collection of Céspedes’ documents and personal items. Two ground-level rooms open into a courtyard with a fountain, and the rooms upstairs are nicely furnished with fine examples of Colonial furniture including a bronze bed with mother-of-pearl medallions.

Parque Maceo Osorio The park’s attraction is the presence of the Casa de la Trova, one of the town’s few 18th-century buildings. The courtyard is used for concerts and local groups.

Parroquial Mayor de San Salvador The original building was built in 1614. Unfortunately, after the nationalists in Bayamo decided to burn the city before leaving it for the Spanish conquerors, the only things left were the font (which had been used for the baptism of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes) and the Capilla de Los Dolores (a chapel built in 1740 containing an image of Virgin Mary and a Baroque altarpiece made of gilded wood). With the course of time, the church has been transformed into a three-aisle one with two choirs, nine altars, and a finely wrought pulpit. Opened in October of 1919, the new church has an old image of Jesus the Savior saved from the fire, a patriotic painting by the Dominican artist Luis Desangels, and plastered brick walls with frescoes by Esteban Ferrer.

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Bayamo