Famed for its revolution, communist government and, in many ways, seemingly frozen in time, the former Spanish colony of Cuba seems like an historic site in itself. Indeed, many of the Historic Sites in Cuba and its museums relate to the period of revolution and the nation’s modern history.
There’s a host of top cultural places Cuba to visit and among the very best are the Che Guevara Monument and the fascinating Museo Playa Girón.
What are the best Historic Sites in Cuba?
1. The Che Guevara Monument
The Che Guevara Monument is dedicated to iconic political activist, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, more commonly known as Ernesto “Che” Guevara. The Che Guevara Monument is a complex comprised of several monuments to Che, including an 82-foot statue of the man himself and his mausoleum.
Santa Clara was chosen as the site for the Che Guevara Monument as it was the site of a major victory for the revolutionary, leading to it often being called the “City of Che”. The Che Guevara Monument also includes a museum about the life of Che.
2. Museo Playa Girón
Museo Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs Museum) in Cuba is dedicated to the Bay of Pigs invasion.
In April 1961, during the Cold War, approximately 1,400 Cuban exiles invaded the Bay of Pigs – Playa Girón – with the aim of overthrowing Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
This attack failed in its entirety, with most of the force being taken prisoner and around one hundred being killed. The Bay of Pigs invasion was particularly humiliating for the US government under President John F Kennedy, who supported the exiles in their attempted coup by land and by air as well as training them.
Today, Museo Playa Girón is a small museum near the exiles’ landing site and battle sites. It houses a collection of photographs and other historic pieces relating to the invasion, whilst outside there lie the remains of an American aircraft as well as other military vehicles. Museo Playa Girón does not currently offer any English translation of its exhibits.