Overview:

is a historically unique and culturally significant site dedicated to reinterpreting and commemorating the history and struggle of the island’s runaway African slaves, known as cimarrones. Today, it features a range of activities that honor the resilience of the rebellious African captives who banded together to create an independent community in the hills of Sierra Maestra in the 19th century. The park is divided into three parts, allowing visitors to explore the history of the cimarrones by foot, with thematic tours that tell their story through theatre performances, musical and dancing recitals, and art exhibits. The complex also includes an ethnographic museum and a research center. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cuba
Prominent Features:

, one of the most prominent features is the Palenque de los Cimarrones. The Palenque is an old fortification that was used to defend the city of Santiago de Cuba from attack. It was built by African slaves during colonial rule and is now a heritage site. The site includes old ruins and a few remaining walls that date back to the 18th century. The Palenque is known for its historical significance and for its cultural importance to Cuba's African-descended population. Visitors can explore the ruins and learn about the history of the Palenque and its cultural significance. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The history of Palenque de Los Cimarrones (Santiago de Cuba) dates back to the late 16th century. The Palenque was a settlement of African refugees, or cimarrones, who escaped from the Spanish colonists in the colony of Saint-Domingue. The Palenque was located in the mountains of Santiago de Cuba, near the Caribbean Sea. The African refugees, who comprised the initial settlement, were welcomed by local Taíno and Taino-Aruaco peoples who had long been settled in the area and had adapted to living in the mountains. At first, the cimarrones were mostly made of descendants of Yoruba people from present-day Nigeria and who settled in the area provided the opportunity of a safe haven and refuge from the tough conditions they faced in the plantation and in the city. The Palenque de los Cimarrones in Santiago de Cuba eventually evolved into a self-sustaining community, with a functioning economy that provided for housing, food, trade, education, and a cultural identity that recognized their African heritage. There were also several African-Cuban religions practiced in the community. The Palenque de los Cimarrones were eventually forcibly disbanded by the Spanish colonial government in the mid-19th century, however, its legacy is still felt in modern-day Santiago de Cuba. There are various landmarks around the city that commemorate the Palenque de los Cimarrones including a museum, memorials, and other institutions. The legacy of the Palenque still affects the Cuban culture today and inspires resistance to injustice and racism. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Palenque de los Cimarrones is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Santiago de Cuba, on the southeastern tip of the island. 2. It is known as the first palenque, or free African village in Cuba, having been founded in 1549 and in existence until the early 19th century. 3. Palenque de los Cimarrones was home to escaped slaves from the Spanish colonies in the Americas. 4. Its residents were maestros of the Lucumí religion, buki (African bards) and herbalists, and its site also includes the Afro-Cuban botanical garden, El Jardin Botanico de Africa, which was established in 1998. 5. Though the palenque was destroyed during the Cuban Revolution in 1958, its memory is still enshrined in the nearby Tenaza Negra monument, which is a memorial to the struggle of African slaves in Cuba. 6. In 2018, Palenque de los Cimarrones was declared a National Monument of Cuba. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.