Matanzas: Cuba’s Hidden Treasure Awaits
Located in the northern part of the coast of Cuba and the capital of the province of the same name, Matanzas is a city of about 150,000 people, often and unjustly overlooked by tourists. The proximity to the famous Varadero (40 km) has in fact obscured its qualities for some time; however, they are often not very easy to grasp.
The urban center extends like wildfire around the bay on the Atlantic Ocean, in the heart of the area bounded by the rivers Yumur to the north and San Juan to the south.
To the north-east, beyond the ro Yumur, is the 19th-century neighborhood of Versalles, while to the south, past the ro San Juan, is the neighborhood of Pueblo Nuevo, also dating from the 19th century. Most of the inhabitants live in the suburban and industrial districts on the edge of the center or along the extensive coast bordered by the Va Bianca, the road that starts from the capital Havana (La Habana) and arrives in Varadero after crossing Matanzas.
History
The city was founded at the end of the 17th century under the name of San Carlos and San Severino de Matanzas. The town was built on the gulf called Guanima by the local Tano Indians. Before European settlers settled there, the Dutch pirate Piet Heyn had plundered a Spanish fleet in the waters of the bay, thus prompting future inhabitants to build the Castillo de San Severino to protect themselves from further attacks. The city grew rich thanks to the sugar and coffee trade; in the nineteenth century, Matanzas became a renowned artistic and cultural center that had nothing to envy Havana. Numerous houses in neoclassical style also sprang up, characterized by the massive presence of sumptuous Doric colonnades.
What see
Parque Libertad is the main square and heart of Matanzas. Sheltered by tall royal palms, in the center of the square, opposite the Hotel Louvre, stands a statue of José Mart, the Father of the Cuban Homeland, dating from 1909. On the north-western side of Parque Libertad is the Biblioteca Gener y Del Monte, housed in the former Casino Espaol from 1835.
Along the southern side, you can see the Pharmaceutical Museum, where French porcelain vases for herbs are kept, as well as majolica, Bohemian crystal flasks, distillation ampoules, mortars, cork molds, scales, old cedar wood furniture, and a library with over fifty volumes of medical prescriptions from other times. The museum was created in 1964 on the premises of the former Botica La Francesa, one of the first pharmacies in Cuba, inaugurated in 1882 by the Triolett family. Finally, on the eastern side of the square is the Palacio de Gobierno (1853), currently the headquarters of the Poder Popular.
From the Parque Libertad, you can head towards the seafront (the Malecón, in Cuban) where the Catedral de San Carlos Borromeo stands, built in 1693 but profoundly modified two centuries later; the neoclassical-style structure boasts some frescoes partially ruined by humidity.
Outside, still on the Plaza de la Iglesia, the statue of José Jacinto Milanés stands out, a nineteenth-century poet from Matanzas whose house, now the Archivo Histórico, is located on Calle 83. On the other side of the church, you can see a large metal wheel leaning against a tree between the benches. It is a cogwheel originally used in the mill of an old sugar factory.
Matanzas is also known as the “city of bridges.” The epithet is not at all strange, considering that there are 21 of them in the urban area. The most spectacular is the Puente Calixto Garca, dating from 1899, which crosses the Rio San Juan; following it in a northerly direction, you reach Plaza de la Viga, formerly Plaza de Armas, the second most important square in the city, located right next to the bay. Here, in correspondence with the layout of the Indian village, the original nucleus arose at the end of the seventeenth century in Matanzas.
On the square there are several important buildings, such as the Teatro Sauto, one of the most beautiful theaters in the country, built between 1860 and 1862 to a design by the Italian architect Daniele Dell’Aglio, or the Palacio de Justicia, erected in 1826 but rebuilt between 1908 and 1911.
Museo Histórico Provincial
The Museo Histórico Provincial is housed in a nineteenth-century building right next to the theater and houses an interesting collection of objects related to the history of the city. Also on the square is the Parque de los Bomberos, the 19th-century fire station, which, although operational, is also home to a small museum of historic vehicles used by the same firefighters in the past.
Cultural Enrichment
Matanzas, dubbed as the “Athens of Cuba,” holds an abundant cultural wealth that is waiting to be explored. The city is renowned for its contribution to Cuban music and dance, particularly Danzón and Rumba. Attend a live music performance or take a dance class to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Afro-Cuban folklore is deeply rooted here, so don’t miss a chance to experience the mystical and traditional Abakuá and Santería ceremonies. These cultural intricacies further underline Matanzas as an enticing, yet often overlooked, Cuban destination.
Natural Beauty
Beyond the city’s cultural and historical allure, Matanzas is surrounded by captivating natural beauty. One such treasure is the Ciénaga de Zapata, the largest wetland in the Caribbean, home to a plethora of native fauna and flora, and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. For outdoor enthusiasts, a trip to the Rio Canímar, a river perfect for boating and fishing, is a must. Here, you can also visit the Bellamar Caves – over 2.5 km long, adorned with impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations, making it one of the oldest tourist attractions in Cuba.
Culinary Experiences
Your visit to Matanzas wouldn’t be complete without indulging in the local cuisine. Traditional dishes such as “lechón asado” (roasted pork), “moros y cristianos” (rice with black beans), and “yuca con mojo” (cassava with garlic sauce) are an integral part of the Matanzas dining experience. And let’s not forget about the local rum – the city has a long history of rum production, making it a perfect place to explore the tastes of authentic Cuban spirits and iconic drinks like Mojito, Daiquiri and Canchánchara.
Local Hospitality
An often underrated aspect of Matanzas is the warmth and hospitality of its inhabitants. Known for their friendly nature, locals in Matanzas are more than happy to share their love for the city with visitors. Opting for casa particulares (private homestays) over hotels can offer a more immersive experience and provide insights into the daily life of Matanzas’ residents.
