Bayamo, capital city of Granma, one of the country´s fourteen provinces, is located in the eastern part of the Republic of Cuba, the zone most related to the independence movement as well as the revolutionary struggle. Also known as the “La Ciudad Antorcha” (City of Torches) as it burned on two occasiones, San Salvador de Bayamo is the second villa in Cuba, founded November 5, 1513 by Diego Velázquez. The favorable navegation conditions of the Rio Bayamo that passes through the city, allowed the villa to flourish rapidly, along with Santiago de Cuba, which was capital of the colony at that time.
Thoughts about Cuban independence developed during the XIX Century and were evidenced in the October 10 Movement and the uprising at La Demajagua, an antique sugar mill that pertained to the beautiful city of Manzanillo, near Bayamo.
It was in Bayamo that the Cuban national anthem was sung for the first
time, on October 20, 1868, and where the flag by Carlos Manuel de
Céspedes was made, today the flag of the National Assembly. Cubans
continue to sing “To the combate, run, bayamese...”
Granma Province was the venue for the 1982 national day celebration oo
July 26, at which the Plaza de la Patria was inaugurated, a monumental
architectural work remodeled and amplified en 2006. On both occasions
Comandante Fidel Castro presided the events.
The bayamese have always been characterized for their love of their city and its history. It is a city unforgettable for the hundreds of horse-drawn carriages that beautify and convey colonial traditions. The historical sites of Bayamo are a strong tourist attraction.
Architecture
Many buildings in Bayamo are National Monuments. While XIX Century
buildings predominate in the city center, many have been replaced by
other constructions. The Church of San Salvador of Bayamo originally
built in 1613 and the Chapel of Dolores built in 1740, remain as
examples of colonial architecture. In the central park one comes upon
two statues: one of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes, father of the Cuban
Patria, who iniciated the struggles for independence in Manzanillo, and
another of Perucho Figueredo, who composed the national anthem of Cuba.
Tourism
Among the museums, the principal attraction is the house where Carlos
Manuel de Céspedes lived. Also not to be missed is a visit to the place
where the Cuban National Anthem was first intoned.
Among the places to visit, we recommend:
- Museo Provincal
- Museo Ñico López
- Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Salvador
- Torre de San Juan Evangelista
- Antiguo Ingenio Pilar de Jucaibama
- Casa de la Nacionalidad Cubana
- Centro Histórico Urbano
- Conjunto Arquitectónico de la Plaza del Himno
- Iglesia del Santísimo Salvador
- Museo Casa Natal del Padre de la Patria
These are but a small selection from the interesting cultural and historical sites in Bayamo.
The visitor can view Bayamo as a trampoline to other sites such as Dos Ríos where José Martí fell in combat, or Las Coloradas from which the ship Granma embarked upon the expedition which began the armed struggle in the Sierra Maestra, the hiehgts of which can be appreciate from the capital city itself.
The visit can include an excursion to the nearby city of Manzanillo with its lovely Gulf of Guancanayabo, and dozens of institutions and sites that will enable one to get to know some of the roots of the Cuban people.
The VI EcoMaterials Conference will unfold at this site full of Cuban history and culture, both colonial and revolutionary.
For further information about the international VI EcoMaterials Conference, please send your inquiry to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it