Whenever
in Cuba, you may not miss this place. After the disastrous
disembarkation of the Granma Fidel Castro and 22 others fled into the
mountains of the Sierra Maestra with the help of Celia
Sanchez. Here they created a big guerilla base and for two years
Fidel Castro's headquarters were situated here (After this his
headquartes were situated in the former Hilton Hotel in Havana). From
here the guerillas raided outposts of Batista's army like La Plata and
El Uvero. In February 1958 Radio Rebelde started to broadcast from the
mountains. Another famous hero of this period was Frank
Pais. He was an underground guerilla who lived in Santiago de Cuba.
He sent many guerillas to the Sierra Maestra.
Alto del Naranjo, to enjoy the site and the beautiful nature surrounding it get up early,
take a car from Bayamo or Santo Domingo and drive to Alto del Naranjo.
Here is the entrance of the "Gran Parque Nacional Sierra Maestra".
You have to pay a fee of $10 to enter the park. A guide will accompany you
to "La Comandancia". If it's hot take your car up for another
really steep 1.5 kilometer although the engine will smoke. Park the car
and after a solid walk you will be at the entrance of "La
Commandancia". You have to get up early because the guides won't
bring you anymore after 2 pm.
The house where Fidel
Castro lived during his stay in the Sierra Maestra. The house is build
on a steep hill.
The
bedroom inside the house.
The
other entrance of the house, down the hill.
The
"kitchen" inside the house, next to the bedroom. The fridge
used oil and there is a bullet hole in the right side.
Che Guevara had his "medical" centre in this cottage.
Republic of Cuba
