Trinidad. Old town.

Source www.tut1.ru

The city of Trinidad was founded by Diego Velazquez in 1513. The city now has the status of an official archdiocese, it has not changed since the days of Spanish rule. It was once an important center where the largest landowners gathered. Trinidad, located in the center of the island, prospered from the slave and sugar cane trade.

That was until the sugar market moved to the west to Havana. It seems that the twentieth century had no effect on the life of the city - the three-hundred-year-old houses and palaces of the sugar and tobacco barons still stand everywhere. Only the children on the street retain a sort of "souvenir" of the later, American, occupation - baseball. Almost everyone here plays dominoes, especially Cubans over forty. It's a pleasant pastime during the siesta (daytime recreation), when all the stores are closed.

The period of the first revival of the area after the poverty and devastation instigated by the war for Cuban independence began between the First and Second World Wars. After the victory of the Revolution, the palaces were converted into museums. Significant financial resources were invested in the restoring and repairing of the  architectural monuments.

В XVIII веке в стране происходил подъем колониальной экономики. Стиль жизни колонизаторов соединял черты городской и усадебной жизни. Улицы и площади вымощены булыжником и создают неповторимую атмосферу старинных времен. В городе наблюдается множество архаичных балконов и внутренних двориков с цветочными палисадниками, окна украшены всевозможными плетеными решетками. Власти Тринидада трепетно относятся к сохранению исторического наследия города.

The 18th century was a period when the colonial economy was on the rise. The style of life of the colonizers combined features of urban and manor life. The cobblestone streets and squares create a unique atmosphere of ancient times. In the city there are many archaic balconies and courtyards with flower palisades, the windows are decorated with all kinds of wicker trellis. The authorities of Trinidad are reverent about the preservation of the city's historical heritage.

A good example of such care is one interesting place that is a symbol of Trinidad in its heyday, the Valle de San Luis, or as it is also called "the valley of the sugar factories". This valley, together with the city itself, is protected by UNESCO. The Valle de San Luis is located within the city limits, near the town's buildings. Once there were huge sugar plantations and sugar factories, which there were about 50.

The first place where tourists begin their acquaintance with Trinidad is the central Plaza Mayor. Here is the largest number of buildings from the colonial era.

The façade of the main parish church of the Holy Trinity faces this square. It is the largest church in Cuba with amazing acoustics.

The main attraction of the city is the former estate of the planter Manak Isnag and the 45-meter tower of the same name, which was built in 1816. In those days, its purpose was to keep an eye on the slaves who toiled on the plantations. The bell of the tower sounded at the beginning and the end of the day's work.

In addition to the tower, in the "valley of sugar factories" there are still the ruins of sugar factories, where huge boilers and millstones are a reminder of those difficult times. The sugar boom of the 17th and 19th centuries was interrupted by the first War of Independence. The plantations were damaged and almost all 50 factories were destroyed.

The museums of Trinidad are an important attraction, which are distinguished by their originality and unusual themes. One of the most important museums is the Museum of Architecture. This is the only museum in Cuba, which has a very interesting exhibit shower of the XVIII century, which has a large number of pipes for hot and cold water. Also interesting are the Archaeological Museum, the Municipal Museum of History and the Museum of the Fight against gang violence (Museum of the Revolution), which today is located in the building of the former monastery.

Palace of Count Brunet (Romantic Museum) in Trinidad is the most beautiful and interesting museum in Trinidad. There is a huge collection of furnishings and paintings in the romantic style. All the exhibits are in perfect harmony with the palace itself, which in the past was owned by the sugar magnate Brunet (1830 to 1860). The museum's collection was assembled due to several influential Trinidadian families. The huge carved double doors, windows and shutters as well as the ceiling elements are made of mahogany. The walls are decorated with patterns and ornaments depicting tropical plants, fruits, leaves and all kinds of floral motifs. The rooms were furnished with luxurious baroque furniture. The kitchens are open to tourists with amazing interiors and antique porcelain dishes. Due to the many drawings, engravings, surviving photos and maps visitors are transported back to an era of yesteryear. From the tower you have a stunning view of the city and the valley.