Must-see attractions in Matanzas

  • Iglesia de Monserrate

    Matanzas

    For a mappable view of mildewed Matanzas on one side and the broccoli-green Valle de Yumurí on the other, climb 1.5km northeast of the center up Calle 306…

  • Taller-Galería Lolo

    Matanzas

    Imagine. You're tramping through Matanzas' tatty streets wondering whether the 'Athens of Cuba' moniker is just a local joke when you stumble upon this…

  • Teatro Sauto

    Matanzas

    The defining symbol of the city according to Mexican painter (and admirer) Diego Rivera, the Teatro Sauto (1863) on Plaza de la Vigía's south side is one…

  • Catedral de San Carlos Borromeo

    Matanzas

    Standing back from the disorganized melee of Calle 83 behind shady Plaza de la Iglesia is Matanzas' main church, a neoclassical structure with two unequal…

  • Puente Calixto García

    Matanzas

    If you've only got time to see one bridge (there are 21 in total) in Cuba's celebrated 'city of bridges,' gravitate toward this impressive steel structure…

  • Plaza de la Vigía

    Matanzas

    The original Plaza de Armas still remains as Plaza de la Vigía (literally 'lookout place'), a reference to the threat from piracy and smuggling that…

  • Galería-Taller El Garabato

    Matanzas

    The workspace and gallery of local painter Adrián Socorro is fortuitously located next to Taller-Galería Lolo, inviting you to witness a double-whammy of…

  • Parque Libertad

    Matanzas

    A few blocks directly west of Plaza de la Vigía is Parque Libertad, the anchor of Matanzas' cultural life and home to several of the city's most…

  • Museo Farmaceútico

    Matanzas

    Museo Farmaceútico is one of Matanzas' showcase sights. Founded in 1882 by the Triolett family, the pharmacy was the first of its type in Latin America…

  • Museo Palacio de Junco

    Matanzas

    This double-arched edifice on the Plaza de la Vigía showcases the full sweep of Matanzas' history from pirate incursions to the cruel reign of slavery…

  • Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol

    Matanzas

    Dominating the scruffy Versalles neighborhood is this fine neoclassical church, which was refurbished inside and out in the mid-2010s. The interior is…

  • Castillo de San Severino

    Matanzas

    Northeast of Versalles lies this formidable bastion, built by the Spanish in 1735 as part of Cuba's defensive ring. It was tested early on by the British;…

  • Cuartel de Bomberos

    Matanzas

    This unique firefighting museum occupies a still-working fire station and is staffed by friendly volunteers who’ll show you around lovingly polished…

  • Palacio de Gobierno

    Matanzas

    Dating from 1853, this muscular building with its huge arched portales forming a grand covered walkway fills the whole east side of Parque Libertad. These…

  • Palacio de Justicia

    Matanzas

    This is one of several impressive constructions on the Plaza de la Vigía opposite the Teatro Sauto, first erected in 1826 and rebuilt between 1908 and…

  • Che Mural

    Matanzas

    An eye-catching Che Mural – a copy in mosaic of Alberto Korda's famous 1960 photo – lies to the south of Puente Calixto García.