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Santiago de Cuba
KNOWLEDGE OF Santiago de Cuba
Santiago de Cuba is of the utmost importance to Cuban history. Its founder Diego Velázquez Cuellar's body lies in the city's cathedral. During the first half of the 16th century it was the capital of the island, and at the time, had a population of 1,000 Spaniards, as well as the indigenous population--a figure quite remarkable for the time.
Its bishopric first, and later its archbishopric, made Santiago a centre of great religious importance. The Villa de Santiago de Cuba, founded towards the end of 1514, was a strategic centre of the island during the first years of the 'Conquista'. From the waters of its bay, among the most beautiful and unspoiled in the world, many expeditions departed: Grijalva, Narváez, De Soto and Hernán Cortés, who would become the city's first mayor.
Little can be said of its indigenous inhabitants. They were brutally and unashamedly exterminated by the greed and ferociousness of the colonizers, who left not a trace of the taíno and siboneye ways of life, culture and habits.
During the wars of independence, Santiago turned a blind eye to the arms and medicine dealing carried out by the 'Juntas' and patriots of the city, in order to provide their rebel brothers in arms against the despotic conquerors, with the equipment necessary to carry out their ploy. Unfortunately, Santiago's open doors also let in the first black slaves brought to Cuba, exploited in order to encourage the incipient wealth of the city. Its coasts were the scene of expeditionary liberator's actions. Within the city's walls, the famous event known as the 'Socapa' took place, with 'Generalísimo' Máximo Gómez in charge of an army force of the famous 'División de Cuba'. The heroic actions of Santiago's citizens Narciso Silva, Enrique Collazo and Capitán 'Flor Crombét' brought the victory. In its waters, with the impressive historical and archaeological 18th century monument known as the 'Morro' in sight, the decisive naval battle in the North American war of Spain against Cuba took place, with the triumph over the Cervera's Spanish fleet.
In order to understand the economic importance of Santiago, it is necessary to point out that it is Cuba's second port, and its intense trading activity has played an essential role in the development of Santiago and the Eastern province in general.
Its bishopric first, and later its archbishopric, made Santiago a centre of great religious importance. The Villa de Santiago de Cuba, founded towards the end of 1514, was a strategic centre of the island during the first years of the 'Conquista'. From the waters of its bay, among the most beautiful and unspoiled in the world, many expeditions departed: Grijalva, Narváez, De Soto and Hernán Cortés, who would become the city's first mayor.
Little can be said of its indigenous inhabitants. They were brutally and unashamedly exterminated by the greed and ferociousness of the colonizers, who left not a trace of the taíno and siboneye ways of life, culture and habits.
During the wars of independence, Santiago turned a blind eye to the arms and medicine dealing carried out by the 'Juntas' and patriots of the city, in order to provide their rebel brothers in arms against the despotic conquerors, with the equipment necessary to carry out their ploy. Unfortunately, Santiago's open doors also let in the first black slaves brought to Cuba, exploited in order to encourage the incipient wealth of the city. Its coasts were the scene of expeditionary liberator's actions. Within the city's walls, the famous event known as the 'Socapa' took place, with 'Generalísimo' Máximo Gómez in charge of an army force of the famous 'División de Cuba'. The heroic actions of Santiago's citizens Narciso Silva, Enrique Collazo and Capitán 'Flor Crombét' brought the victory. In its waters, with the impressive historical and archaeological 18th century monument known as the 'Morro' in sight, the decisive naval battle in the North American war of Spain against Cuba took place, with the triumph over the Cervera's Spanish fleet.
In order to understand the economic importance of Santiago, it is necessary to point out that it is Cuba's second port, and its intense trading activity has played an essential role in the development of Santiago and the Eastern province in general.
Chapi