Cuba Destinations Charm and History in Manzanillo

Author: Carmina Ahmed

Manzanillo might be a remote city in comparison to the large cultural centers in Cuba; however, it really is quiet and interesting to see for that charm of their bay along with the mountains surrounding it. It's a city full of history and with many places to understand. Life in Manzanillo has been marked from the ocean. Since very early, the inhabitants with the island have felt the sea's proximity and influence in the progression of their lives, which you might say has defined the Cuban character and behavior. People in this city possess a different lifestyle, whose spirit depends, to a large extent, for the sea's rhythmic chain.

Its official history commences with the construction from the first house in 1784 by Mr. José Nazareno de León within the fields of the ancient indigenous areas of Macaca and Guacanayabo, and it is first name was Puerto Real. However, this has been proposed how the town has been online since much earlier for several vessels visited that harbor before its foundation to get full of woods and fruit from that region and from Bayamo, this means there existed an enduring community, eventhough it might be small. In 1792, the French privateers from the West Indies made excursions in the area and also the Captain General, Las Casas, ordered the building of a fortified redoubt with 4 components of artillery. He strengthened the security in the area bringing militias and gunners from Bayamo. The privateers and smugglers' raids determined the effective and ruled colonization of the rising town.

In 1805 a church was raised, dedicated Our Lady of Conception (Nuestra Señora de la Concepción). By then, the people increased to 300 souls. The first church was declared parochial in 1821. The Charity Hospital was finished in 1853 as well as in 1857, the hearth department is made and the region purchased from the best authority the title of "city" using the dictate of "unconquered". From then on, the city's development and growth was safe and continuous, without major ups or downs during its evolution before the decade of 1940.

Manzanillo seemed to be the scene from the events narrated inside the first classic literary part of Cuba, Espejo de Paciencia, compiled by Silvestre de Balboa. Around the city, many historic events happened too. Among them, there was the burning in the indigenous cacique, Hatuey, through the Spaniards inside city of Yara, the same location where on October 10, 1868 the Calls of Yara (El Grito de Yara) were shouted to the Independence of Cuba. In the outskirts from the city, the Demajagua ranch is found, in which the patriot Carlos M. de Céspedes freed his slaves and invited the crooks to fight for Cuba's liberation and sovereignty in 1868.

Manzanillo also played a crucial role in the support given to the Rebels and Fidel Castro during the war of the 50s inside last century, leading to the defeat with the tyrant Batista and the settlement with the Cuba Destinations Revolution. Celia Sánchez Manduley came to be in this city. She would be a heroine in the Sierra Maestra and Fidel's secretary till her death in 1981.

Apart from your wonderful sight in the Bay, Manzanillo owns numerous colonial and eclectic buildings of an high historical and architectural value. Parque Céspedes highlights most notable featuring its Morisco square, also as the Neo-Classical church from the Purísima Concepción, the 1906 Café, and the City Hall.