Trinidad history

It was recognized like la Villa de la Santísima Trinidad and was the third town founded by the Spanish Crown in Cuba in early 1514, and placed among the top 7 villas by the Spanish in Cuba. This was founded with the presence of Diego Velazquez de Cuellar, near of Parque Marti in the shadow of a Jigue, with the first Mass for the father Fray Bartolome de las Casas, at present there is a restaurant in front of this tree with the same name “El Jigue”.
Trinidad is evolving rapidly and becomes one of the most prosperous of the Greater Antilles.The land area was very good for crops, cattle and tobacco, although there were the first cane fields with a rudimentary production of honey and sugar. The revolt of Haitian slaves allowed to Cuba to access to the international market with very good prices, to produce this sweet product was an excellent deal for farmers, the investment was minimal and the finished production out of the sweat and sacrifice, the coup and the execution of the slave labor. According to data of the time, in 1774 the town had 1 207 blacks and 20 years later there were 5 234 under the easement. In the mid of XVIII century there were 25 mills, and close to the last decade of that period, it reported 40 small factories that manufactured 60 000 pounds of sugar and 700 jars of honey.
In the early XIX century with the introduction of the steam engine, perfected technology requires more hands slaves to keep costs low and in fact offered, he adds, the more wealth to the plantation owners. That time was the golden ages in the society of Trinidad, but not for the thousands of men and women who came as slaves from Africa.
The city have its starting point in 1801, with a visit of the german scientist Alejandro de Humboldt and the subsequent arrival of creators, artists, painters, artisans and merchants.
Forty years later, Trinidad shows a new face for the Caribbean and America having monumental palaces, plazas, churches and colonial houses that are now historic patrimony. This beautiful city was one of the first cities of Cuba with streets of stones, visitors from everywhere enjoy the architecture accommodated to the realities of country : houses with large doors and hardwood windows, spacious courtyards and full in flowers. At that time were already built palaces Brunet, across from the Plaza Mayor, Palaces of family Iznaga, Becquer and Borrell. Trinitarians, amid the splendor industrial (1790-1846) had nearly 50 percent of the mills in the country (120).
In the latter half of the 1840s, economic decline begins, the sugar industry declines and lack funds to invest in land improvement. On the other hand, wealthy nationals feared thel uprisings of the slaves that had risen in the years 1772, 1773 and 1778. Historic Documents of Trinidad gather the slave revolt (1838) in Manaca-Armenteros and extended to Santa Isabel and Maisinicú Palmarejo, among other plants, when the Valley had almost 12 000 slaves.
The city of Trinidad is preserved almost intact, its streets of stones, colonial houses , its churches, palaces, people who visit us will seem to be living the colonial era.
Also called the City Museum of Cuba, has the privilege of being one of the country’s colonial cities and ranks also among the most comprehensive architectural and preserved in the Americas.The City settled along the banks of the river Guaurabo, where the Spanish found a native population used as manpower, fertile land and excellent ports for the preparation of expeditions.

It is important to mention conservation and restoration work undertaken by the office of the conservative of the city, besides love for their city of its inhabitants. This makes it one of the best-preserved cities in America, and enroll in the List of Humanity’s Worldwide Patrimony by UNESCO with the Sugar Mills Valley in 1988, an area where the sugar industry flourished with the arrival of families Iznaga Borrell and Brunet in the middle of XIX century.
The enrichment of the owners of the mills that existed in the Valley due to sugar production, helped to raise both Trinidad and the Valley, mansions and palaces that are now the pride of the Cuban culture.
Huge colonial mansions, luxurious palaces where luxury and extravagance made theirs to join the Cuban colonial art, make the city of Trinidad an urban and architectural jewel indisputable.
The decorative characteristic of city’s houses is based on the neoclassical ornamentation reflected in murals, frames, wooden frames and the whimsical forms of iron that the framers were able to print, it became one of the greatest charms of the city. The historic city center is the Plaza Mayor, where visitors can find a statue of Terpsichore, muse of dance and music-accompanied by the unique beauty of the Church La Santísima Trinidad, faithful guardian of valuable pieces of the treasure Religious of the island. These include the Christ of Vera Cruz, together with a marble altar dedicated to the worship of the Virgin of Mercy, the only of its kind in the country.
The squares of Santa Ana and Tres Cruces, the Bell Tower of San Francisco and numerous palaces bring a touch of unique beauty to the city, which each year devotes extensive efforts to the preservation of centuries-old buildings in it are located.
Among the most important buildings is the Palace of Count Brunet, now the Romantic Museum, whose first owner was also linked with the construction of a theater with his name and building of a railway between the city and the Casilda’s port. The museum, in the 14 rooms exhibits decorative arts, including china and glassware, rich polychrome paintings and gold lines, many of them responsible directly to European factories of the time. Among the most important properties is also Cantero Palace, with three floors and a terrace, while Borrell is famous for the paintings on their walls.
12 km from the town is Playa Ancon,with its warm, crystal clear and calm waters of the Caribbean Sea, in an environment that is an invitation to water sports, with 30 points for diving. There are several hotels on Trinidad, including the Hotel Ancon, the Hotel Costa Sur and the most modern of all the Trinidad del Mar Hotel. In the city, with a beautiful view is Hotel Las Cuevas, named for a group of caves located on the hill where it was built over four decades and are integrated into the installation. Also is the Hotel Iberostar Trinidad and villa or farm Maria Dolores, which is based on the rural traditions of the region and offers the option of lodging in cabins.

Fiestas tradicionales en Trinidad
San Juan (carnival): is the most popular party in the city along with the week of culture. It originated in the motherland. Currently in Trinidad this San Juan’s party are held in the last days of June. It is the feast of the town, where all the people take the streets to enjoy the varied options that are offered. La
Candelaria : Traditional party which takes place among the peasant population, takes place on february 2 in a town named Condado, is from the Canary Islands and in the Catholic faith foundation.
Week of Culture: Currently held in January, artists from all over the country paraded through the streets. One of the most important feast for the town in the year. San Blas: This festival is celebrated on february 3 in the town of Caracusey with similar backgrounds and characteristics as La Fiesta de la Candelaria. La Cruz de Mayo is a celebration in the community of San Pedro del Palmarejo, is based on the ancient myth saying that if the saint was taken to the streets in procession would end the drought and the rains begin. It has the characteristics of the Cuban peasant parties with lots of food and plenty of rum.