Overview:

Located in the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad in Cuba, the Santi Spiritus Church (Iglesia Parroquial Santi Spiritus) was built at the end of the 18th century and is a historical building of great importance. It is a grandiose neoclassical structure with two bell towers that reach 25.6 meters high on each side. Its interior is rather austere and decorated with a repeating motif of hawthorn flowers. It remains an active place of worship where locals, visitors, and tourists alike come to pay their respects and to admire its impressive architecture. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Cuba
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic-style architecture: The Santi Spiritus Church in Trinidad is one of Cuba's best-preserved examples of classical Gothic architecture, featuring the typical pointed arches and ribbed vaults seen in Gothic churches throughout Europe. 2. Octagonal bell tower: The church is set apart by its octagonal bell tower, a common feature of Spanish colonial churches in Latin America, though rarely seen with a Gothic aesthetic. 3. Sacristy: The church has a secluded sacristy, located in a side altar in the chapel. 4. Ornate façade: The church boasts an elaborate façade, featuring detailed lettering on the visible arch and the window frames. The entrance to the church is through two Gothic doors with intricate carvings, still in good condition to this day. 5. Historic tombs: Inside the church, visitors can find historic tombs of the prominent families of Trinidad from the colonial era, as well as an intricately decorated wooden pulpit from a previous 18th-century church. This national monument of Cuba portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Church of Santi Spiritus is located in the city of Trinidad, Cuba. The original building dates back to the 18th century and was one of the main locations for worship in the city. The original church was destroyed in 1793 during a battle between Spanish crown forces and the forces of Cuban independence fighters. In 1800, a new church was built on the same site. It is believed to have been designed by the architect Jose Mariano de Villalobos, and was consecrated on August 14, 1802. The church underwent several renovations over the years, the most significant being undertaken in 1885. Construction on this renovation commenced on January 1st of that year, and lasted until October 19th. During this time, the church underwent a rearrangement of its interior,as well as the addition of a neo-Gothic spire and an altar prepared in Rome and delivered to Trinidad in 1869. The original church was made of stone, brick and masonry. The church's exterior includes a red façade while the interior is mostly white and blue with intricate artwork carved in stone. It also has two cloisters that are adjacent to the church, one for men and one for women. It is considered an example of the traditional Cuban Baroque style from colonial times. Today, Santi Spiritus continues to be an important religious center in Trinidad. It is also open to the public as a museum, allowing visitors to take a glimpse of its rich history, as well as learn more about the city's religious and cultural history. The museum also features an important collection of weaponry, antiques, furniture, as well as a library that is full of important documents and other literature related to the city. Santi Spiritus Church is one of the major attractions in Trinidad and remains an important site for worship and historical exploration. The church and museum serve as a reminder of the city's religious and historical past that is still alive today. You must visit one of these historical places in Cuba on your Cuba tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Santi Spiritus Church is considered one of the oldest churches in America, with its construction taking place in the year 1630. 2. It has the distinction of being the only church in Cuba to maintain its original baroque design and layout, having escaped the inevitable remodeling that other churches in the region were subjected to during the 19th century. 3. The temple's native stone walls are up to one meter thick. 4. A painting of notable Cuban artist Eduardo Abela was created to decorate the walls of the head nave in 1952. 5. The church is located in Trinidad, Cuba, a UNESCO World Heritage city of great historical value, right next to the Palacio Cantero, current home of the municipal government. 6. The Santi Spiritus Church has two interesting but unexplained detail: an odd spiral-shaped staircase located between the entry and the main entry of the temple and two mysterious symbols on the walls near the main door of the temple. 7. According to one of the most famous stories of the church, a single palm tree grew in the garden of the church until the late 19th century, when it was cut by an unknown character. The palm tree was said to be the symbol of the church. 8. The interior of the church is decorated with colonial and baroque art including sculptures, paintings and altarpieces. Visit one of the famous monuments of Cuba with your friends and family.