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Santa ClaraVilla Clara - Other Cities and Attractions Santa Clara, the capital of the province, was founded in 1689 by settlers from Remedios looking for a site inland that would be less vulnerable to pirate attack. Heading east from Havana, Santa Clara marks the start of Cuba's central region. The city is strategically located on the island's spine, right on the main highway and train lines.
This provincial capital is well worth visiting, beyond the suburbs you'll find a buzzing place with streets lively with people going about their daily lives, and the city benefits from having a large student population. Santa Clara is home to one of Cuba's principal colleges, la Universidad Central de las Villas (Las Villas Central University). The centre seems well looked after and relatively litter-free. A startling sight to anyone arriving from Havana. There are some interesting museums worth visiting and the small brick red-tiled houses lend themselves to an atmosphere of calm and discretion.
Santa Clara is also home to several industrial factories, the legacy of Guevara's tenure as Minister of Industry and his special relation with this city. In addition to being an interesting destination in its own right, Santa Clara serves as the gateway to the colonial treasure of Remedios and the up-and-coming beaches of la Cayería del Norte (the Northern Cays). Attractions Santa Clara Fábrica de Tabacos Santa Clara has an excellent Fábrica de Tabacos. The factory occupies a full city block and produces high quality Montecristo, Partagas, Romeo & Julieta, Punch and Robaina cigars. Across the street, there’s a well-stocked shop, La Casa del Tabaco, Ron y Café la Veguita. The cigar sommelier here, Marilín Morales Bauta, is quite charming and one of the premier experts in the field. Monumento a la Toma y Acción del Tren Blindado A popular revolutionary landmark is the Armored Train Monument at Carretera Camajuani and the train line. It's a small park built around the spot where Che Guevara and his soldiers derailed an armored train during the critical battles for control of Santa Clara in 1958. In addition to the 5 cars and some sculptures, there's a tiny museum in this pleasant open-air park. Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara The biggest attraction in Santa Clara features a huge sculpture of the revolutionary hero Ernesto Che Guevara, overlooking a vast plaza where massive demonstrations are often held. Underneath the statue is a museum with exhibits detailing the life and exploits of "El Che" and a separate mausoleum holding Guevara's remains, as well as tombstones (and some of the remains) of 37 other revolutionary fighters killed alongside Guevara in Bolivia. This place is deeply revered by most Cubans, so don't joke or take it lightly. The monument is located on the western outskirts of the city. Parque Leoncio Vidal The heart of the city is the central Parque Vidal. The double-wide streets ringing the park are pedestrian-only and often crowded with locals and lovers strolling in leisurely circles. Teatro La Caridad You’ll find a series of shops and restaurants aimed at travelers and dollar-spending Cubans. The active and ornate 19th century theater, modeled after the Paris Opera, often features concerts and shows and is worth a quick tour during the day. |
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A buzzing provincial town, with a pleasant Parque Central, Santa Clara is most famous for the role it played in both the independence and revolutionary wars and its connection with Che Guevara, whose attack on a Batista troop train in the city in December 1958 helped persuade the dictator that his days were numbered. Thanks to the latter, Santa Clara is known as Che Guevara’s city.
For most people the area Parque Vidal is the most eventful place in the city, as well as being the geographical heart of the city, it is also its social centre and there is usually some sort of entertainment going on at weekends. A monument marks the spot where revolutionary hero Leoncio Vidal was killed, and benches line the promenades that cross and circle the park.