About Holguin

“This is the most beautiful land that human eyes have ever seen” were the words -according to historical testimonies- said by Christopher Columbus, on October 27^th, 1492 after setting foot on Cuban soil for the first time in Bariay, a seafront place in the north of the province of Holguín.

Holguin province is in northeast Cuba with one and a half million people, and more than 9,300 square Kilometers, 25% of which, is covered by forests. Tourism, sugar industries, and vast nickel deposits are the province's most important economic resources. The province has 14 municipalities.

Holguin city, the capital of the province, was first settled by Captain García Holguín in 1525, when he acquired a piece of land in this region and built the first houses.

The best-known place in the city is the Hill of the Cross (Loma de la Cruz), with a single, massive, 458-step staircase. From its top you can admire the city of Holguín and the surrounding landscape that this 261-meter elevation offers.

Its previous name was Cerro Bayado. On May 3^rd, 1790, Fray Francisco Antonio de Alegría climbed the hill with a wooden cross that he placed at the top. Since then, it is known as the Hill of the Cross, setting the beginning of a religious tradition: the Pilgrimage of the Cross (Romerías de la Cruz). This Old Spanish tradition was on remembrance of the day when Saint Helena, mother of Constantine the Great claimed to have found the original cross of Calvary.

Oscar Alvanés Carballo, a lover of his city, came with the idea of building a staircase all the way to the top. Vicente Biosca carried out the project, adding a chapel, a rotunda, the lookout and the reconstruction of the colonial fort at the base. The work began on January 28^th, 1927 but was not finished until May 3^rd, 1950.

Pilgrimage took place annually until the late 1950s and was interrupted until just a few years ago. Now it is known as the Pilgrimage of May (Romerías de Mayo), and it is a cultural and religious festivity that lasts for several days.

Attractions

The Hill of the Cross (Loma de la Cruz)

This is the best known place in the city and perhaps the most representative. A natural skyline for the city. You can get to the top by car, but the best way is to climb up the 458 steps from the base. On May 3rd 1790, the Fray Francisco Antonio de Alegría placed a wooden cross at the very top of the hill. For years it was the site of pilgrimages and more recently it has been the site for the Romerías de Mayo, a popular festival that brings together tradition and modernity.

Here is the beginning of the monumental stairway, where you start climbing. Do not forget to take water with you...you will need it! And do not leave your hat away either.

This fort is at the top, in the center of a rotunda and lookout. Now you can seat and enjoy the panoramic view of the city while catching back your breath. But hey...it is worthy!

If you say that you have been in Holguin but did not climb the Hill of the Cross, any Holguinian will tell you that you do not know the city.

Historians say that the drawings for the city - which is famous for the straightness of its main roads - were made from the top of this hill in 1752.

This is part of the view you will get. When you walk to the right you will see the famous wooden cross, raised here to commemorate the day on which bits of wood from the cross of Calvary were found.

There are snack bars and a restaurant at the top. And if you are too tired to walk downstairs it is easy to get a taxi to take you down.

Mayabe Lookout (Mirador de Mayabe)

This is another elevation in the southeast of the city. The view of the city is not as close as the one from the Hill of the Cross but it is a wonderful place to enjoy a quiet and romantic day.

There is a motel with some wooden cabins, a restaurant, several private open cabins from where you can order lunch, dinner or snacks and different kind of drinks.

The main attraction in this place is a donkey called Pancho who loves to drink beer. You will find him at the Bar El Burro (Donkey Bar)

Cultural House (Casa de la Cultura)

Address: Maceo # 172, entre Marti y Frexes, Holguin city

(in front of the Central Park Square)

Trova's House (Casa de la Trova)

It is just beside the Cultural House.

Local traditional musicians and performers gather in this place to perform.

Music Store (Tienda de Musica la Flor de Holguin)

Calle del Mercado # 2, esquina a Martires, Holguin (in front of "Plaza del Mercado" (Merchant's Plaza), in the heart of downtown)

Tel: 42 1074, 42 6100-01

Hours: Mon-Sat, 9:00AM-5:00PM

A wide selection of Cuban and Latin music to choose from, in CDs and cassettes.

Stadium "Major General Calixto Garcia"

If you are a baseball fan, you will be probably able to see a game between local or national teams. Admissions are usually free. It is in the Avenue of Libertadores, southeast side of the city.

Pernik Hotel Pool and Bar

You can enjoy a wonderful day and get that tan you want, in the pool at Pernik Hotel.

Two bars are around the pool, one specialized in different kind of liquorish drinks and another one with light foods and drinks.

The hotel has it own service of taxis and a car-renting office.

Cuban Arts and Crafts Foundation (Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales)

Calle Frexes # 196 entre Maceo y Libertad, Holguín

(Right hand side of the Periquera building)

Tel: 42 3782, 46 8358, 46 8580

Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00AM-3:00PM, Sat 9:00AM-noon

Sales of craftwork and fine arts products.

Artex S.A.

Frexes # 236 esquina a Maximo Gomez, Holguín (two blocks west of Central Park Square)

A wide range of cultural products and souvenirs