Camagüey

Camagüey is halfway between Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba. The city was founded in 1514 as Santa María del Puerto Príncipe by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar on the north coast near the natural port of Nuevitas, but was relocated twice towards the midland until 1528 because of frequent pirate attacks. In 1668 she was burned down by pirates under Henry Morgan. Camagüey carries her present name since 1923 from an Indian leader. The old town of Camagüey is the largest surviving one after Havana. Many of the colonial houses have been lovingly restored and exude the charm of yesteryear. The landmark of Camagüey are countless large clay jugs on the streets and in the squares which are the evidence of the city's earlier water shortage. Compared to Havana, Trinidad or Santiago it is rather quiet in Camagüey.

General:

Camagüey is located in the center of Cuba and is the third largest city in the country with about 320,000 inhabitants. In 2008 the historic center of Camagüey was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Camagüey is nothing for the bathing enthusiast, but definitely worth a stop on the way to Santiago.