Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos is the third biggest Cuban city right after Havana and Santiago de Cuba. This city is located on the southern coastal area of Cuba, at the shores of Jagua Bay and is one of the most beautiful cities of the island. In 1745 the fort Castillo de Jagua (Jagua Fortress) was built at the entrance of the bay. This was the starting point for the construction of the city, which was founded by French colonists in 1817 next to the fort. As many other colonial cities, Cienfuegos thrived thanks to sugar and tobacco trade. During the 19th century, Cienfuegos and Trinidad were rival cities, but Cienfuegos surpassed Trinidad and became a prosperous port and trade center.

Cienfuegos is a city full of mansions, theaters and parks. The Avenue "Paseo del Prado", which stretches down to the waterfront, is the favorite place of tourists and locals for taking a walk. The Castillo del Valle stands out as one of the most popular touristic destinations. Its architecture features a mixture of Venetian, Mauritanian and Gothic styles. Another popular site for recreation is the Jose Marti Park. Not far away from this park, you can find a cathedral built in 1830 and also the Tomas Terry Theater. The opera "Aida" was performed when the theater opened its doors to the public for the first time and the famous Enrico Caruso played the main role.
Cienfuegos also offers magnificent beaches and ideal sites for diving activities.
Besides, on the outskirts of Cienfuegos you can find a large number of natural and historic sites.