UNESCO Heritage Sites in Cuba

Cuba's Sites are a Living Lesson in History and Geography

Sep 13, 2009

Cuba's UNESCO World Heritage Sites pay homage to the Spanish settlers who made the island their home. A heritage that has endowed the island with sites of great beauty.

Not surprisingly given its rich history and size, Cuba has the most UNESCO Heritage sites of any of the Caribbean islands. The rich heritage of the Spanish settlers and the natural beauty of the island have not escaped notice. The island now has nine sites listed on UNESCO’s Heritage list with another three pending inclusion.

Alejandro de Humboldt National Park

This national park got its name from the German scientist, Alexander von Humboldt. The Park was added to the UNESCO list due in part to it being home to many plants and animals that can only be found in Cuba. Also of note is the sheer size of the area, 274.7 sq miles. One special feature of the Park is the fact that plant life has adapted and thrives there despite the fact that some of the rocks are actually toxic to vegetation.

Archaeological Landscape of the First Coffee Plantations in the South-East of Cuba

The Sierra Maestra foothills in eastern Cuba has the remains of 19th and 20th century coffee plantations. These act as a history lesson on the development of this type of agriculture in Cuba and the Caribbean.

Old Havana & Its Fortifications

Havana, Cuba’s capital is a remarkable picture of Baroque and neoclassical remains from its long history. Founded in 1519, Havana still has much of the old charm and buildings which are a testament to its past. Many of the homes still have wrought-iron gates, balconies and internal courtyards.

Trinidad and the Valley de los Ingenious (interpreted as Valley of the Sugar Mills) are combined as one site on the UNESCO list. Trinidad was named to honor the Holy Trinity. Today, buildings made in the 18th and 19th century still stands. Most notable are the Palacio Brunet and the Palacio Cantero. The Valley is really a series of three valleys, namely, San Luis, Santa Rosa and Meyer. Many of the sugar mills are in ruins but some structures still stand, such as the barracones (slave quarters) and tower. This site is a testament to the days when sugar was king.

San Pedro de la Roca Castle, Santiago de Cuba

This site is among the best examples of Italian and Renaissance design of military engineering in the world. They are also unique in that the fortifications were specially adapted to suit the landscape of the Cuban terrain.

Desembarco del Granma National Park

UNESCO’s reason for adding this site is that its, “ongoing development of karst topography and features, represent a globally significant example of geomorphologic and physiographic features…” The area depicts the continued development of geological processes.

Included as part of the park are the Cabo Cruz marine terraces, and various species of birds, reptiles and mammals with many being endemic to Cuba. Added to this is the historical significance of the region. The area has links to the island’s first inhabitants, the Taina. A 19th century lighthouse, almost intact, can be seen in the area as well.

Historic Centre of Camagüey

The city is unusual with its many winding roadways, blind alleys and single exit which were built as a defense against attacks. This maze-like design was especially important because of the numerous raids by pirates. It is this architectural design of the city, one of the seven built by the Spanish settlers that has led to its listing. There are various influences that can be seen in Camagüey, such as Art Deco, Art Noveau, and neo-colonialism.

Sadly, just one month after it was listed on the UNESCO list, the Historic Centre of Camagüey was badly damaged by Hurricane Ike in September 2008. Some of the rooftop sculptures on the old buildings were destroyed.

Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos

Established in 1819, the town was first settled by French immigrants before becoming a city in 1829. Cienfuegos when translated means ‘Hundred Fires’. The city was placed on the UNESCO Heritage list as an example of urban planning based on 19th century Spanish Enlightenment. In fact UNESCO refers to the area as “the first and an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble…” Some famous landmarks are:

The Viñales Valley is where the centuries old traditional method of tobacco farming can still be seen today. Added to the old farming methods, there are remains the architecture, music and craftsmanship of a bygone era. In short, time seems to have stood still under the outcroppings of the karst landscape.

Interestingly, Cuba has another three sites up for consideration for the UNESCO World Heritage List. These sites are the:

The other UNESCO Heritage Sites in the Caribbean can be read about in Part 1 and Part 3.

The copyright of the article UNESCO Heritage Sites in Cuba in Cuba Travel is owned by Jessica McCurdy Crooks. Permission to republish UNESCO Heritage Sites in Cuba in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.