Camagüey is a land of unusual mysticism, a city that awakens the most sublime passions and a pride that sometimes flirts with the irrational. The more than 500 years of existence have given the legendary city a stately garb, nuanced, both, by its transcendental contributions to national history, and by the cultural richness that exalt, vivify and distinguish it.

Its Historic Center, the main witness of the evolution and sediment of the diverse values ​​that the city has, celebrates this October 10th 42 years since it was declared a National Monument; In that same date, but some years apart, were declared as National Monuments the Historic Site of Las Clavellinas (the place where the people of Camagüey rose up in 1868) and the Birthplace of Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz.

A very unique monument…

According to oral tradition Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe was founded on February 2nd, 1514, the day of its patron saint: Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.

From the presumed original place of its foundation, a site on the northern coast of the province known as Punta del Guincho, the conquerors moved to the banks of the Caonao River in 1516 in order to seek for more favorable territories. However, it is presumed that an aboriginal uprising forced its settlers to a new change, settling this time and for all, in an extensive plain belonging to the Camagüebax chiefdom; located between the Tínima and Hatibonico rivers. This last location of the “walking village” is collected on January 6th, 1528.

From the 18th century on, the splendor that was consolidated in the town was basically due to the rise of the smuggling trade sustained by the development of stockbreeding. The extensive plains that surround the city favored its consolidation as an eminently livestock and agricultural area; this fact conditioned the socio-cultural evolution of the locals and defined important features of their idiosyncrasy.

On November 12th, 1817, King Ferdinand VII of Spain granted the settlement of Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe the title of city, the condition of Very Noble and Very Loyal and the coat of arms, which from that moment transcended as an identifying symbol of this city.

The current name of Camagüey, a word of aboriginal heritage, is officially conferred to the city on May 1903, mainly, to legitimize that Cuba had achieved its independence from Spain.

Representative elements of its urban identity

The historic city of Camagüey is distinguished by its harmonious combination of different architectural periods and the winding layout of its streets.

The conformation of the urban layout met more the requirements of functional relationships that urban regulations: hence its singular irregularity. A confusing layout of winding alleys, typical of medieval cities, lead to a complex system of squares and small squares that, nowadays, are visible in representative landmarks such as Carmen and San Juan de Dios squares.

The nickname City of Churches is conferred to the city thanks to the abundance of religious temples that characterize it. The churches generated the fundamental urban layouts and, consequently, the neighborhoods or parishioners; its towers and perspectives stand out in the flat appearance of our city, and on the low-rise buildings wildly spread all over the city.

In the interior courtyards of Camagüey homes it is common to find, in addition to rich and abundant vegetation, the waterpots made of clay, of Andalusian origin. The use of the waterpot, a tradition that was consolidated in order to store rainwater during frequent periods of drought, became a symbol of the city’s identity. This characteristic gave it the name of City of the waterpots.

The rich pottery tradition is easily recognizable in the surroundings. Clay, a local material used to make bricks, tiles, floors, containers and contemporary art works, giving a characteristic color to the urban environment of the former settlement.

About its history…

Gaspar Betancourt Cisneros, El Lugareño, one of the most transcendental thinkers of the 19th century in Cuba, was a forefather of the railroad on the island. Under his initiative, the railway segment that linked the city of Puerto Principe with the coastal Nuevitas was built in 1846.

Among the most emblematic artists and scientists born in Camagüey we can mention: the writer Gertrudis Gómez de Avellaneda (Tula), considered the most remarkable Cuban playwright of the 19th century; the poet Nicolás Guillén, whose highly Cuban aesthetic contributions and her commitment to social causes earned him recognition as the National Poet; and Dr. Carlos J. Finlay, discoverer of the transmitting agent of the Yellow Fever.

Also, the composers José Marín Varona, Luis Casas Romero and Jorge González Allué; the pedagogue Enrique José Varona and the plastic artist Fidelio Ponce de León, are among the personalities born in Camagüey that have made a remarkable contribution to Cuban culture. Our history pages also remember Joaquín de Agüero y Agüero, who was the first compatriot to free his slaves, on February 3rd, 1843. He signed a Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1851 and in that same year he lead the fight again Spaniards forces, both events unprecedented until then. He and his companions Fernando de Zayas, Tomás Betancourt and Miguel Benavides were shot on August 12th, 1851. For his part, Salvador Cisneros Betancourt, Marquis of Santa Lucía and a man of exceptional independence ideals, was the revolutionary with the longest record of services to the homeland in the region.

The most important personality in Camagüey, Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, left a notable mark on the Ten Years’ War. The significance of his legacy can be seen in the fact that the people of Camagüey proudly call ourselves Agramontinos (as), being the only eponymous hero of a Cuban province. Along with 35 horsemen, he led the rescue of Sanguily, an heroic deed that enshrined him as a leader and earned him the respect and admiration of entire generations.

Many other events, all difficult to mention in a few pages, mark the personality of this city, a beloved piece of land that treasures a heritage as exceptional as it is venerable.

A shared responsibility…

Starting from these and many other reasons of undeniable significance, as well as the conservation efforts that were beginning to take shape; In 1980, the more than 300 hectares that make up the Historic Center of Camagüey city were granted, officially, the status of National Monument.

Years later and after a meticulous professional process, a fragment of this great Urban Historic Center was designated a UNESCO Word Heritage Site.

Both recognitions involve high doses of shared responsibility, which, far from becoming a slogan, must be turned into a systematic and conscious action; in concrete actions that come from the heart and reason.

There are many edges that we could highlight on this matter, all of which are valid when analyzing such a complex and comprehensive phenomenon; However, in the essence of the anniversary that we celebrate today, vigorous concepts such as identity, sovereignty, sense of belonging, patriotic love and dignity; ideas that not only involve the protection of our heritage, but also the protection of the heritage of Cuba and the Humanity themselves.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García