Matanzas / Cuba

Matanzas is a city situated in the north of Cuba, 90 km east of the capital Havana and 32 km west of an important tourist city Varadero. The population of the city is about 145 thousand people. It is also the name of a province famous for its Sauto Theater.

The city was founded in 1696 and it was called San Carlos y San Severino de Matanzas, as saint patrons of the city.

The main city of the province is also called the Athens of Cuba, as it is the land of poets. Matanzas is called the city of bridges. There are seventeen bridges crossing the three rivers that traverse the city (the Yumuri, the San-Juan and the Canimar). For this reason it was referred to as the "Venice of Cuba".

It is always interesting to get acquainted with rich cultural heritage of this quiet city that grew up on the shore of a huge bay. In the southern part of the province there is Zapata Peninsula, a real paradise for ecological tourism lovers. Besides you will be definitely impressed by fabulously beautiful Yumuri valley and the bank of the Canimar River.

Matanzas has many interesting sights. The Bellamar Caves are one of them. Last century they were accidentally found by a Chinese worker. The caves are situated a few meters from the centre of Matanzas, a 30-minute-drive from Varadero, on the way to Havana. Tourists can admire diverse stalactites and stalagmites that create fanciful castles, bridges, crossings, tunnels in the depth of the cave. The ceiling of the caves is dotted with millions of twinkling multi-colour crystals. A stream with cool, crystal clear water flows there.

Historically the city was of the regions that saw intensive development of sugar plantations. Many African slaves were imported to support the sugar industry. That's why African-Cuban traditions are especially strong there.

Matanzas is a port city and commercial centre of agricultural area. Chemical, food, textile, leather and footwear industry, production of construction materials are also developed in the city. A tourist sphere is an important part of Matanzas economy.

The webpage of the city is http://www.atenas.inf.cu/