Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba is most famous for the abortive attack of the Moncada Barracks by Fidel Castro, Abel Santamaria and 117 other Revolutionaries in 1956. Later in 1959 two citizens of Santiago, Frank and Josue Pais played an important role in the underground battle against Batista and the support of Fidel Castro during his stay in the Sierra Maestra. The Museo de la Lucha Clandestina is dedicated to this underground battle. Other places of interest are the Mausoleum of Jose Marti in Cemeterio Santa Ifigenia and San Juan Hill, where the Spaniards were beaten by the combined forces of Cuba and the USA. 

Siboney, Granjita Siboney 

(CW 2001)

On July 26, 1956 at 5:15 a convoy of 26 cars under the command of Fidel Castro left from this farmhouse to attack the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. There is a museum inside with weapons, documents and personal belongings of the rebels. Shocking is the exhibition of photos from the tortured bodies of the rebels who were murdered by Batista's troops. 

Santiago de Cuba, behind Motel San Juan (former Motel Leningrado) at the Avenida Raul Pujol next to the Zoo.

Siboney, The Route of 26 Monuments to Santiago

(CW 2001)

In 1973, 26 monuments were erected along the road between Granjita Siboney to the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. Each monument commemorates some of the killed or murdered Revolutionaries, who played a role in the 1956 Attack on the Moncada Barracks. All the monuments are surrounded by Royal Palms, the national symbol of Cuba. 

Siboney, the highway to Santiago de Cuba.

El Cobre, Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Cobre

(CW 2001)

Cuba's most sacred pilgrimage site. A lot of Cubans come here to worship a wooden image of the Holy Virgin. They often donate some personal belongings in order to get some favor of the Virgin. It's mentioned here because the mother of Fidel Castro, Lina Ruz brought here a small golden guerilla fighter to protect her son during his attacks of Batista's army from his hide out in the Sierra Maestra. We really would appreciate a picture of this small guerilla fighter.

El Cobre

El Uvero

(CW 2001)

El Uvero is a small village along the way from Pilon to Santiago de Cuba. The village is famous for the "The battle of El Uvero". Of course their is a Plaza de la Revolucion as well. 

La Plata, Museo de La Plata

(CW 2001)

After the debacle of the landing of the Granma in Playa las Coloradas and the restructuring of the Revolutionary forces in the Sierra Maestra, Fidel Castro and his men got their first success in La Plata. On January 17, 1957 they overwhelmed the army outpost of Batista's men and got away with some badly needed supplies. You can visit a small museum dedicated to the small successful battle.

La Plata, Just get off the south side of the road at La Plata and drive down a steep unpaved road which makes a turn to the left. After 300 meter you will pass the very small village at your right hand. Take the next path to the right and you will stand in front of the museum.