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Matanzas
Capital
of Matanzas Province
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Capital city
of province Matanzas, is an industrial city with about 120.000
inhabitants.
Between Habana and Varadero, you will cross this city.
As being a Dutch site I have
to remind you that our own Piet Heyn concured the "Zilvervloot"
from the Spaniards in the bay of Matanzas in 1628, there even
is a statue of Piet Heyn at the Bay side.
The name Matanzas sounds weird…because
it really mean "mass murder" in Spanish. Could be this name
come from, the beginning of de 16th century the Spaniards
kill a lot of Indians the regular inhabitants of this area,
but a second story is about just the killing of cows and other
animals and were shipped from Hicacos … anyway, the name Matanzas
is strange.
Matanzas,
a prosperous, culturemided city that was founded in 1693 and
which some call the Athens of Cuba, in reference to its many
poets, and others the Cuban Venice, due to the five bridges
that cross it at different streches of its Yumuri and San
Juan rivers.
Monumental
buildings of neclassical features are a proof of the boom
that this quiet city has experienced beginning in late 18th
century. Matanzas grew around a large bay, well protected
by a solid network of fotresses the most important of which
can still be visited and admired today. |
Matanzas
is also the birth place of the Cuban national dance "The
Danzon" and of the "Danzonete"; it was and
still is a prominent rumba dancing place, and the home town
of numerous artists, composers, and intellectuals, who are
responsible for the city's traditionally intense, thriving
cultural life.
At
the head of the harbor, close to the downtown center, you'll
find a couple of small stretches of beach, where there will
almost always be a few locals swimming, fishing, and sunbathing.
However, the harbor is quite industrial and I'd highly recommend
you head over to Varadero for some much more inviting beaches.
Read reviews from travelers |
To do in Matanzas
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Cuevas
de Bellamar
Ciudad de Matanzas
You can make a reservation
for this excursion at the touristdesk of your hotel in Varadero.
Costs are about 30 CUC
A
visit to one of the largest caves of Cuba, with a very interesting
history and beauty. After the caves you will visit Matanzas
city, the city of bridges, with its main squares, the pharmaceutical
museum, the agricultural market. |
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Museo
Farmacéutico
Museo
Milanés #4951
Its founders, doctors
Ernest Triolet y Juan Fermin de Figueroa, opened a French
pharmacy at January 1th 1982, and started after what has now
become a valuable collection of the original porcelain bottles
and containers, kept on hard wood shelves, together with a
large set of mid 19th century laboratory objects and tools. |
| It includes more than one million prescriptions with original
formulas for the preperations of natural medications. The
collection is said to be the most important exhibit of its
kind outside od France. |
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Museo
Memorial “El Morrillo”
Km. 1,5
Canimar
Built upon request by
prominent local landowners, it was completed in the second
decade of the 18th century. In 1975 it was fully renovated,
then in 1991 it was proclaimed a National monument. |
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Museo
de Arte de Matanzas
Contreras #36
Matanzas |
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Plaza
de la Libertad
Matanzas' second most important colonial plaza, it dates back
from 1800. Overlooking are the Sala White, a theater constructed
in 1863 in tribute to famous violinist Jose White; the Triolet
Pharmaceutical Museum; and the Government House, built in 1853. |
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Reviews
Matanzas City
Let
us know about your experiences in Matanzas City
Send us your review about Matanzas
January 23 2010
Name: Janey
Country: Canada
Matanzas
My overall favourite place in Matanzas is the "Mazarati" it is beautiful there and when you go up in the gazeebo you can overlook the whole city and also the country side it is one of the most beautiful place to go in Matanzas, especially if you like to play pool.
November 23 2008
Name: Hana
Country: Canada
Matanzas
Hi everyone!!! I went to Matanzas in order to do some Community work at the Teachers university there.... The reason i am writing is to tell you to absolutely go visit the Rio San Juan ! It is amazing! We actually walked all the way up to the source and sat on our little buts and let ourselves slide to the lagoon at the bottom that is surrounded by beautiful palm trees. You can even rent a cabin there for about 4 pesos per night!!! Greatest trip and people ever!!!!
Take care and hope you go visit someday!
Hana
c
August 4 2008
Name: Rafael
Country: Spain
Matanzas
Parque René Fraga
This park is a few blocks up the hill from Parque Libertad. There’s nothing very special up there… just a beautiful view of the Matanzas bay!
August 4 2008
Name: Rafael
Country: Spain
Matanzas
Bellamar is one of the main tourist attractions. It’s a cave 40 meters deep and 750 meters long. It’s quite humid and hot… but it’s great! There are tons of light, so you can actually see around… it’s beautiful.
The bad thing is that they charge you 5 CUC to get in… and another 5 CUC to take your camera with you. If you have a small camera, just hide it in your pocket… once you’re in, there’s no control.
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