If you head for Santiago de Cuba or Eastern Cuba you will come across the beautiful city of Bayamo – the capital of the Granma Province. Bayamo is relatively unknown to the tourists, however, it is soaked in history. Founded in 1513 Bayamo is the second of seven settlements established by Diego Velazquez during the Cuban colonization, which started from the east part of the island.
Bayamo is the birthplace of “The Father of the Fatherland” – Carlos Manuel de Céspedes. On the 10th of October 1868, the prominent revolutionary and lawyer Céspedes signs the declaration of Cuban independence and frees his slaves. This historical date sets the beginning of the 10-year Cuban War of Independence. The event marks the start of the attempts to free colonial Cuba from the Spanish crown. With his “army” of former slaves, Cespedes frees Santiago de Cubа before the Spanish army gets around. Later, Manuel Cespedes is publicly shot after a death sentence from the Spanish. This act, however, makes him immortal and ever valued in Cuban history.
In 1867 for the first time, the national Cuban anthem La Bayamesa /El Himno de Bayamo/ is played in Bayamo /the anthem is named after the example of the French La Marsellesa/.
When in Bayamo make sure you visit:
- The Bayamo Cathedral.
- The central park with Cespedes’ statue.
- The National Anthem Square and the old colonial part of the city.
- Finally, how about having a drink at La Bodega with its wonderful terrace and a view of the Bayamo river.
You can also visit Cespedes’ home, Casa de la Trova, the unique wax museum of Cuba with famous figures from Cuban history.
