Granma
City, History
Live your experience booking with Our Agency a Travel to Cuba Granma. Is located in the southwest portion of the eastern region of Cuba. Those who love history and nature can enjoy the tourist attractions offered by this province. Its capital Bayamo is considered the Cradle of Cuban Nationality. In the historic center the first distinctive features of the country were defined. It houses many of the country’s historical sites.
Region with contrast, presence of the Sierra Maestra (a mountain range), plain of the Cauto River, waters of the Caribbean Sea. Cauto River is the longest in Cuba. Sierra Maestra, the highest mountain massif. Guacanayabo Gulf, largest in the country.
Granma is known for its natural parks, which are abundant in flora, fauna and landscapes of great beauty. From Cabo Cruz to La Plata, you can find Sierra Maestra and Desembarco del Granma National Park. Little further away you can discovery the Turquino National Park. Plateau of Cabo Cruz, has some marine terraces considered among the best preserved in the world. Better if you travel in a rental car, you can better organize your time.
Granma National Park, declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. Among the main attractions are the terraces, emerged and submerged. It is one of the 19 places of Granma that have the title National Monument and of the 625 considered relevant.
Bayamo city, founded in 1513 by Diego Velázquez, being the second town. Years later, is founded the city of Manzanillo on July 11, 1792. Both cities were witnesses and authors of the fervor of the independence movement. Such were the Bayamo people’s desire for freedom, which burned the city for to prevent the Spaniards from seizing it.
It is not until 1976 that Granma province is created. This includes these two cities and 11 other municipalities. It owes its name to the yacht that brought Fidel Castro and the rest of the expedition members. They started the Revolution from Sierra Maestra in 1956.
Its history, traditions, landscapes, waterfalls, caves and remains of aboriginal cultures make Granma a range of attractions. In this province was born the Father of the Nation, Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. The first to give freedom to his slaves and began the War for Independence. Here the National Anthem was sung for the first time. In this place the National Hero José Martí died.
It´s located to 13 km from Manzanillo. Place where the War of Independence began. Here Carlos Manuel de Céspedes gave freedom to his slaves. Land, cane sugar mill, house and barracks (slave dwellings) were devastated by Spaniards. This fact occurred on October 17, 1868. Since then it was completely abandoned, until it became a National Park in 1968.
The park extends through three provinces: Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. Declared a rural area preserved in 1980. It is the main mountainous area of the country. It has a great variety of climate and soil, a remarkable diversity of landscapes and exuberant flora with a marked endemism. Here is the deepest cavern on the island. The highest point is the Turquino Peak. It is considered the most valued geobotanical complex in the country.
Considered by many a true paradise. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. Located west of the Sierra Maestra. It has an area of 27 thousand hectares. Characterized by beautiful and high cliffs. There are many landscapes with waterfalls, natural pools, lavish vegetation and varied fauna.
In the park there are dozens of archaeological sites. Among them El Guafe, where there are ceremonial caves and cemeteries. Belonging to the old Macaca territory. Sendero Las Yaguas, with excellent panoramic views of the Mora cove. Enjoy bird watching, landscapes and rural life.
With a unique natural beauty, it has witnessed several historical events. The main mission of the park is to protect one of the best preserved mountain ecosystems. It is in the west-central part of the Sierra Maestra. It extends from the Guamá municipality in Santiago de Cuba, to Masó in Granma.
Squares, majestic mansions and ancient churches make up this city. Two events happened almost simultaneously, which marked forever the history of the city and the country. On October 20, 1868, the locals sang the National Anthem for the first time. On January 12, 1869 the same people burned the city to avoid surrendering to Spanish troops. Ten years after the start of the War of Independence in 1868, Bayamo is declared Capital of the Republic in Arms.
For all these reasons Bayamo was granted the title of National Monument City. If you want to take a tour of this ancient city, you can do it in a horse-drawn carriage.
Located in the historic center of Bayamo, across the old Plaza Mayor. Is a museum that reveals the life of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, from different points of view. Here he was born on April 18, 1869 and lived until 12 years old. Objects and original documents are shown. Its rooms recreate as it was the life of the rich landowners in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It is the last two-floor colonial house in Bayamo, and one of the few houses that survived the fire of 1869.
Luz Vázquez Moreno, was a beautiful woman. She was the inspiring muse of the first Cuban romantic ballad “La Bayamesa”. It was sung for the first time on March 27, 1851.
The song was originated when Luz had a fight with her husband Francisco del Castillo Moreno. To make amends, her husband asked Cespedes and Jose Fronaris to help him win her over. In this way, the three friends wrote the lyrics and music of La Bayamesa. Then they looked for the tenor Carlos Pérez to sing it to Luz in his closed window. The one that still stands today, but open to the public, in Carlos Manuel de Céspedes Street No. 160, between Perucho Figueredo and Lora.
On the site there was a church since 1514. Because the city was burned down in 1869, it lost many buildings that were a bastion of architecture. Among them was the Major Church, consecrated to San Salvador.
A sacred heritage of the temple, Chapel of the Dolorosa, remains standing, with its altar of gilded wood. Built in 1740, next to the Parochial Major Church. Both constructions form a single complex, located in the National Anthem Square.
Ascending to the rank of cathedral when it becomes part of the diocese of Bayamo-Manzanillo. This church witnessed the first patriotic feelings of Cubans. The central arch of the church has a mural. It shows the blessing of the Cuban flag against the Liberation Army on October 20, 1868.
It is the main park in the city. Is guarded by the statues of two illustrious Bayesians. Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Perucho Figueredo. In this place, but in 1868, Céspedes proclaimed the independence of Cuba. You can relax and talk with the inhabitant surrounded by a pleasant environment, and lush trees.
Meeting place for many festivities and historical events. It witnessed the entrance of the mambises on October 29, 1868. In this place the Bayamo Anthem was sung for the first time, and then it became the National Anthem.
Coches are carriages pulled by horses. They are very popular in Bayamo, they come from the colonial era and the tradition remains until today. This factory has the only line of production of carriages made by hand in Cuba. They are made of wood and take up to three months to finish. You can see carriages in different production stages. Here you can buy the principal of Bayamo carriages in miniature.
Bayamo Promenade, is the main commercial street of Bayamo. There are several service companies, places to eat, banks and works of art. There is also the Wax Museum.
For an interesting stay in this wonderful city you can discover the activities to do in our excursion link.
Select where to stay among the variety of Private Houses and Hotels just by clicking on the corresponding link.
Address: Parada, between Marble and Martí, Bayamo, Telephone: 52398905.
Genuine Cuban food with intrinsic traditions of the Bayamo. On comfortable wooden benches, start your feast with yucca bread (consumed by the aborigines). Do not miss the tasty beans and smoked pork chops, among other exquisite dishes. Enjoy the Frucanga cocktail and participate in its preparation. It is prepared with a local brandy and guarapo (cane juice). You have the possibility to grind the cane, with a small mill.
Address: Maceo No. 53, Hotel Royalton, Bayamo, Telephone: 23422290
It is one of the best in Bayamo and also includes the hotel. The setting is charming, as well as the possibility of eating outdoors. Enjoy its excellent menu, which contains lots of meat, rice and beans..
Address: Maceo No. 107, Bayamo, Telephone: 23426942
Splendid food, animated with violins in a spectacular colonial environment. It offers regional food, with marked indigenous-buccaneer influence. Tortilla with yucca, creole cheese and shrimp in garlic sauce is recommended. You can also choose Mambisa beer (fermented jagua juice on a sugarcane stalk).
Address: National Anthem Square, No 34. Bayamo, Telephone: 23421011
Is located on the terrace at the end of the main square of Bayamo, from where you can see the Bayamo river. They offer fried pork or cow, with side dishes and dessert. Do not stop trying your coffee.
Bayamo Promenade is the main pedestrian shopping street. To buy gifts and souvenirs go to the Artex store, located in General García, No. 7.