Trinidad Way of the Cross Procession

Date: April
Venue: Central Trinidad, Trinidad

Trinidad is one of the oldest towns in Cuba, an incredibly well-preserved colonial town a mile or two in from the coast. Apparently the confusing layout was originally designed to confuse looting pirates, with whom the settlers had a lot of problems, although nowadays it works a similar effect on the tourists, who come in droves.

It's not hard to see why. The cobbled streets, colonnades, inner courtyards and distinctive windows of the colonial period are everywhere, making the town seem something of a museum. It also has its share of churches, some ruined. Religion was not, of course, encouraged in the high communist period; Christmas has only recently been put back on the calender. But since the Pope's visit, during which he spoke out against the US trade embargo, religion no longer attracts the state's disapproval in the same way.

Not that the ‘Recorrido del Via Cruces’ is a particularly controversial event - indeed, given the town's status as a fly-in-amber tourist trap, perhaps it should be encouraged. It is a traditional Catholic celebration, a procession through the streets following a route marked by various crosses, best watched either from street level or from high up. Trinidad has the most historic atmosphere of any town in Cuba, and this is a wonderful spectacle if you happen to be in the area at Easter.