Travel Guide Santa Clara

Founded in the 18th century by families fleeing the numerous pirate raids on the northern coast, Santa Clara, capital of the province since 1878, has nothing of the postcard city. Its central location, far from both the sea and the mountains, coupled with the absence of any real architectural heritage, does not prevent it from being one of the most important cities in the country (250,000 inhabitants). Culturally dynamic and better off than others in economic terms, Santa Clara also resounds as one of the great victories of the Cuban guerrilla. It was here that Ernesto Che Guevara and his units dealt a decisive blow to Batista's army with the daring attack on the famous armored train, designed to transport weapons and troops for Batista's army. The Hotel Santa Clara Libre (in the main square Leoncio Vidal) was the site of part of the battle between the guerrillas, barricaded in the upper rooms, and the regular forces. After the capture of the city, Che's column joined that of Camilo Cienfuegos, prefiguring the total victory of the barbudos on January 31, 1959. As early as 1895, during the second war of independence, Santa Clara distinguished itself by its resistance to the ruling power. Leoncio Vidal, another hero of the city whose name is given to the central square, was shot while attacking a Spanish garrison.