Tourist product in sagua la grande cuba

Summary:

The development achieved by tourism has led to the introduction of new modalities and the improvement of the tourism product.

Cuba has worked in order to become one of the main recipient destinations in the Caribbean, working on improving and increasing facilities, developing new areas, among others.

Sagua la Grande, located in the Jardines del Rey tourist development region, is not exempt from being able to offer its tourist product in different modalities such as coastal, urban and nature.

In the work, an analysis of the urban tourist attractions of the northern city was carried out for the conformation of the tourist product of the territory.

Introduction

Tourism can be defined as “the set of economic, psycho-sociological and environmental phenomena and relationships that are generated between activities related to travel from the place of issue, the entities that provide services and products at the destination, the governments of the sending and receiving places and the local host communities, on the occasion of the trip and stay of temporary visitors in a destination other than their usual place of residence "

We could also define it as a fundamental exchange relationship on the principle of "value for money", that is, the satisfaction of need in exchange for a price. In other words, it is a way to profit from satisfying certain human needs related to leisure and travel.

The tourism business is a combination of a market, a product and a technology to satisfy the leisure needs of those who travel in order to obtain new experiences in the use of their free time.

Tourism development is very sensitive to political and social phenomena and to the image that one country has of another, which can catapult the sector or sink it forever. Tourism products according to Kotler is anything that can be offered in a market for attention, acquisition, use or consumption that could satisfy a desire or a need. Includes physical objects, services, sites, organizations, and ideas.

Tourism products are classified into three large groups:

Travel

Facilities

Territories

In the tourism product territories, clients travel to a tourist destination that is attractive to them due to the strength of its brand in the source markets. This product can be classified into:

Tourist complex Tourist

pole

Specific destination

Tourist region

Country destination.

Cuba has a specific attraction for these markets, even the revolutionary process itself can become its brand.

Cuban tourism development has had a boom period in the last ten years, as shown by the growth figures in this period of time, until 2006, visitors have multiplied in such a way that on November 29 it was announced by MINTUR the arrival of the 2 millionth tourist in the year, earlier than expected; the economic results have been satisfactory and the gross income has multiplied by 8, the available rooms by 10 and they are still growing, in the human resources employed there has also been a growth in proportion to the other elements.

This process of tourism growth has presented deficiencies, mainly due to the speed with which it has occurred, the creation of infrastructure conditions, the preparation of personnel and inexperience in this sector.

The Minister of the branch, Ibrahim Ferradaz, has stated that actions should be incorporated in the tourism of Events, Incentives, Health, Nature and City, linked to values that the country has and that also allows a preferential action with other development poles in the area.

The municipality of Sagua la Grande is located in one of the 8 prioritized regions (Jardines del Rey) for tourism development in Cuba and with a wide untapped potential, where city tourism can develop, among other modalities.

In this work, a balance was made of the urban tourist attractions of the city of Sagua la Grande, where the buildings with their different styles, the emblematic cultural history of the territory are distinguished among them; which has brought glories to science and national culture as well.

Development:

General characteristics of the city

On June 13, 1590, the Sabana de Sagua estate was granted to Don Alonso de Cepeda by the town council of the Villa de Sancti Spíritus, this being the first resident of the town with a known name, although it is said that the mouth of the river it had been a den of corsairs and pirates who, since the sixteenth century, infected the Caribbean; so these are possibly the first to have recognized the coast and the navigable possibilities of the river.

At the end of the 18th century there was already a settlement on the banks of the Sagua la Grande river that was known by the name of Embarcadero or Surgidero, from here the inhabitants of the already existing town of Santa Clara communicated with the rest of the country. Although at that time it was nothing more than a poor siege, both in number of inhabitants and in the development of economic activities, its residents were in charge of the shipment of wood for the arsenal of Havana, as well as for the construction of the docks of the port.

Don Juan Caballero, of Canarian origin, built a chapel of wood and guano in the place where the current Plaza "Independencia" is located, on December 8, 1812, with prior request to the General Bishop of the Island Juan José de Espada offered a mass, that would later be designated as the one of the foundation of the town.

The city begins its growth from the left bank of the river to the north, initially following the sinuosity of the river; The current streets Rivera, Colón and Luz Caballero were first urbanized. This is separated into two parts, determined by its location with respect to the river. In this way, the Historic Center is equally divided - a larger part on the west side and a small portion on the east - and linked through the “El Triunfo” bridge. The presence of the river establishes towards the center of the urban area the lowest area of the city and the one with the greatest natural values, characterized by a green strip of abundant vegetation, timber and fruit trees. The area of squares represents 2.19% of the Historic Center of Sagua la Grande.

The economic prosperity achieved by Sagua since its early years determined the richness of its cultural heritage reflected in the different manifestations of art, traditions and science.

Architecture is one of the most representative arts of the city, both for the number of its works and for the quality of its design and execution. There is a large number of exponents of high value framed in different times, mainly from 1850-1930. Not only popular or traditional works are manifested but also works with marked academic influence represented by buildings generally from the 20th century, the buildings are characterized by sobriety and elegance despite the fact that, in most cases, they are unknown authors (mainly masons and builders).

As in most of the cities that emerged during the 19th century in Cuba, an architecture was developed here with the influence of different architectural styles that range from traditional to modern, through neoclassical and eclecticism; the latter being the most abundant as they develop alongside the city's greatest economic splendor (1850-1930).

The influence of the architectural neoclassical style can be observed during the nineteenth century, in most cases, as in the rest of the country. It is characterized, within the subject of housing; for the simplicity of the design, the use of molded cornices, a solid parapet with brick pillars and the use of other elements of classical architecture; Of these, the dust cover stands out, peculiar for the variety in its design. The most important example of neoclassicism, within this theme, in Sagua is the house of the Count of Casa Moré (see Annexes), which stands out for its dimensions, the way it fits into the urban fabric and the design elements with characteristics classical. Other themes are distinguished by monumentality and the use of other elements such as portals, pediments,among others such as the Parroquial Mayor

Because the Eclectic style developed within a period of economic boom (first three decades of the 20th century) it is expressed with great richness in design in all themes, it is characterized by the use of an exuberant decoration, mainly in the facade of the buildings. It takes place within the Historic Center almost at the same level as the previous one. At this stage we can also find buildings with Art Nouveau influence, the Arenas Palace standing out (see Annexes).

The development of Art Deco parallels a stage of economic crisis in the region, so we can find very few exponents in the city.

Modern architecture is present in the historic area in a timely manner. Some apartment buildings were built around the 1950s and some of the old houses were replaced by others with modern lines in design. In the current stage, the deterioration of the wood, fundamentally, has caused the insertion of this type of buildings within the Historic Center.

Sagua la Grande has a rich pictorial tradition, with exponents of the stature of Wilfredo Lam, Alfredo Sosa Bravo, Cesar Leal Jiménez, Manolo Fernández, Francisco Marcet, Heriberto Manero, Ajubel, among others.

Literature and music were manifested in Sagua la Grande through internationally renowned figures such as Jorge Mañach, eminent writer, historian and journalist; Mario Rodríguez Alemán (writer, journalist and film critic); Manuel Gayol Fernández (writer and teacher) and Labrador Ruiz (writer).

From the middle of the 19th century the first theaters were built in Sagua –from the “Iriarte” to the “Santos y Artigas”, later “Principal” - which welcomed numerous internationally renowned artists.

Ramón Solís, Rodrigo Prats, Antonio Machín and Enrique González Mántici are part of the large group of musicians born in Sagua. Much of the wealth of the musical heritage of the municipality is treasured in the "Rodrigo Prats Llorens" music museum.

Like most of the island, Sagua la Grande has inherited traditions from the miscegenation of numerous cultures brought to the island through immigration from different places and at different times. Men and women of different classes arrived for years to the territory, mainly Spanish, black and Chinese (the fact of having owned one of the largest Asian colonies in the country is significant, represented mainly by the Chung-Wah Society, founded in 1881).

Black culture manifests itself in Sagua la Grande, mainly, through religiosity. The most frequent cults in the town are the Virgen de Regla (Yemayá), San Lázaro (Babalú-Ayé), Santa Bárbara (Shangó) and San Francisco de Asís (Orula), the latter have their councils, Kunalumgo or Kunalumbo and Saint Barbara.

The Historic Center has 3 main squares: the Parque "Independencia", the Plaza "La Libertad" and the Mausoleum of the Martyrs, there are other squares or parks of less importance and smaller that are not linked to urban evolution but have emerged in existing spaces due to the disappearance of buildings over the years.

The Plaza "Recuerdo" (currently "Independencia") arose with the very foundation of the city, in it was during the first half of the XIX the administrative and commercial center of the town, the first and the second churches, the second disappeared after the construction of the current one in 1860. This square is very close to the river, it is from it that urbanization begins to develop.

As of the construction of the new Church, in 1860, and the progressive growth of the city, the center of it began to develop around it. At the end of the 19th century, a square was built around the church and its perimeter developed the functions of the city center. In 1902 the old “Plaza de la Iglesia” became the “La Libertad” Park (see Annexes).

In 1902 the Mausoleum was built in the place occupied by the “Plaza de la Cárcel” (1863). This area's main function is to preserve the mortal remains of the martyrs of the War of Independence.

The Urban Historic Center, in addition to functioning as a city center, also approximates the geographical center of the same, so it has a strong interaction with the rest of the neighborhoods and areas.

Inventory, characteristics and valuation of the attractions and their possible markets.

Parish Church of Sagua la Grande

It was built in 1860, after the first church with constructive solidity had been demolished, which was located in the foundational area. It is built in the area conceived as the second center of the city, located in the central part of the square where it limits the perspective of Padre Valera street that joins the two centers.

The building has neoclassical characteristics, on the main façade there is a pediment supported on four Tuscan columns together with molded cornices and dust covers. The doors of the lateral and frontal facades are metallic, the main one is carved with religious motifs. The plant has a main nave and two lateral ones and the sacristy and rectory at the back.

The interiors preserve the original altars and the naves are separated by a semicircular arcade. It also has other ornamental elements such as rosettes, high reliefs on walls, among others. This building is taken by Weis as a reference for the study of 19th century architecture in the interior of the country.

Bridge "El Triunfo" and its natural and architectural environment

The Sagua la Grande River, in addition to having been the material source for the emergence of the city, adorns it with its natural beauty. The city is divided by the same existing as the only means of communication the bridge "El Triunfo" (see Annexes), this was built in 1905, replacing a wooden one built at the end of the 19th century. The bridge has value from an engineering point of view, it is formed by a metallic structure composed of two main trusses joined together by I-section cross beams and other longitudinal ones that support the Irving mesh that makes up the bridge carriageway. Despite having been repaired several times, it currently retains its original characteristics.

On the bank of the river, near the bridge is the park "El Pelón" where the monuments to José Martí and the martyr of the War of Independence José Sánchez Jorro appear, its location favors the observation of the natural landscape.

This area has values from the point of view of archeology related to the colony, since it is part of the area where the first urban settlement of the city takes place. There are traces of the first buildings built on both sides of the river banks.

In the background rises the bell tower of the Church of the Sacred Heart (see Annexes), it has neo-Gothic characteristics, its slenderness complements the landscape of the area, where nature, engineering, architecture and history come together.

Railway terminal

This building has a location within the city similar to the parochial one, from the point of view that closes the perspective of one of the main paths of the city. It was built in 1882 and its monumentality shows the development achieved by the railway in Sagua la Grande. It has neoclassical characteristics with a pediment on the main façade, among other elements. At the beginning of the 20th century it was remodeled by adding two lateral bodies (see Annexes).

House of the Count of Casa Moré

This house was built in 1873 and is another of the most representative examples of the spread of neoclassicism in the city, it represents the habitat of a non-representative social class in it, so it constitutes a unique example within the subject of this house. stage. It has a portal for private use with a semicircular arcade, a C-shaped floor plan with a central hallway, a patio surrounded by a porticoed gallery and a side garden, all spaces are large.

Within the nineteenth century we can find other buildings of significant value among these we have: the prison is the only one of its kind in the province, it maintained its function until the 1970s; at present it almost totally conserves its original structure. Within the subject of housing we find notable examples of buildings that belonged to a middle class, many of them with unique designs that also have neoclassical characteristics.

Arenas Palace

It was built in 1918, it is a building with exceptional characteristics, it is characterized by a rich design of the facades and interiors from the use of decorative elements from a free interpretation of elements of Islamic architecture linked through an exotic image typical of Art Nouveau. The façade decoration is made up of terrazzo plinths, multi-lobed arches with oriental influence, polychrome glass lights with the presence of sinuous lines, parapet with concrete balustrades, cast iron bars, decorated platforms and balconies; in the interiors there are stucco walls and plaster baseboards with a predominance of floral lines in the decorative elements, floors and partitions.

This building is considered one of the seven most significant works of architecture in Villa Clara.

Spanish Casino

The building has two levels, with an occupied area of 1278.86m2. The plan is developed in an O shape with a small central patio and arcaded gallery surrounding the patio. The interior spaces are made up of large rooms.

One of the most significant elements of the building is the decoration, interior and exterior.

In the interiors the decoration in false ceilings predominates with the use of plasterwork, trilobed arches and wooden baseboards. The vertical circulation takes place through a monumental marble staircase in a helical shape. In the false ceiling of the access or reception area there is a mural painting that represents the Spanish shield, the work has artistic values. The exteriors are characterized by the abundant decoration in pilasters, friezes, cornices and platforms; characterized by floral motifs, compound capitals, shields, garlands, denticles, among others. The building is topped by an openwork parapet with pilasters crowned with cups and in the upper part of the main access a monumental sculpture representing the “Fraternity”.

The main access is hierarchical by a sloping doorway with a horseshoe arch in the upper span and the main door with wood worked in high reliefs.

The carpentry is also a significant element, the openings are developed vertically to the floor with parapets of mortar balusters. The doors are made of three-leaf wood with a two-leaf wooden and glass inner door, with carved glass lights with the “Casino Español” company logo.

The formal characteristics of the building respond to the eclectic movement, in this case it is characterized by the abundant decoration with influence of Art Noveau and Baroque elements. Within the group of buildings with this influence on the city, this property is one of the most significant; in terms of design level, volumetry, dimensions and spatial solution, in addition to its visual impact within the context.

Together with these buildings, others of great magnitude were built, such as the 1925 “Hotel Sagua”, considered one of the most luxurious hotels of the time in Cuba, it has four levels, one for restaurant, folder and services and three for rooms. In 1920 the building "La Villa de Paris" was built, it also has four levels, three for apartments and the first for shops. At that time they were considered very important works for the interior of the country.

Culture

The sociocultural development of a locality is conditioned by the characteristics and economic development achieved in a stage or period and Sagua la Grande is an example of this.

In 1887 there was a population of 18,330 inhabitants, with a notable economy due to the rise of the sugar industry, stable social development, there were schools of different teachings, a wide network of shops, with public lighting, railways and a fundamentally musical cultural tradition.. This made it necessary to create schools and academies, where figures such as Ramón Solís, famous flutist, the best of his time, Jaime E. Prats Estrada, violinist, were trained.

Sources consulted consider Sagua la Grande since the mid-19th century as a musical powerhouse. Our territory is the cradle of nationally and internationally recognized music personalities such as Mario Valdés Costa (1896-1930) violinist and composer, Jaime E. Prats Estrada (1882-1946), brilliant clarinet, flute, double bass, violin player and conductor., Antonio Fabré Rueda (mentioned above) Pedro Guida (1902-1988) pianist, saxophonist, composer, creator with his wife the pedagogue Mariana de Gonith, Rodrigo Prats Llorens (1909-1980) violinist and composer, author of the criolla “Una rosa de Francia ”, Antonio Abad Lugo Machín (1903-1977) singer and composer, author of numerous compositions, based in Spain until his death on August 4, 1977.

In the visual arts, Sagua la Grande counted on Wilfredo Lam Castilla, a universal painter who was born in this town on December 8, 1902. His works combine Chinese, African and Cuban origins, La Jungla painted between 1942 and 1943 is an example of this, it constitutes the representative work of the Third World.

Cabildo de San Francisco de Asís, is also known by the name of Kunalungo. It was established as a stable group towards the last decades of the 19th century and established as a San Francisco de Asís society in 1909. In its beginnings there were slaves of Congolese origin and for decades it was a meeting place for the African population living in the locality and their descendants Cubans. The festival was celebrated from the 2nd to the 12th of October which consisted of a procession through the streets to the town hall where the ceremonial began with the dance of the flag as a greeting to the saint, who lived in a well that it existed on the outside of the house. Makuta was played until 12 o'clock at night, when the ritual drums retired, the party continued with songs and rumba dances.Currently the place remains open and the devotees place floral offerings and candles; It is only played on October 4, a date that is celebrated on the day of San Francisco de Asís by Catholic saints.

Cabildo de Santa Bárbara, of the Regla de Ocha religion, there was a society founded in the municipality at the beginning of the 20th century, the Santa Bárbara Society. Currently, only the name of the Society remains, since it really functions as a temple house, although the foundation of it is preserved there. Its operation was of society, they met, celebrated, gave food to the saints, initiation ceremonies were held and the day of Santa Barbara was celebrated on December 4 by the Catholic saint. All these ceremonies are maintained, in addition, for having roots in the community and being the representative and owner of the house one of the initiators of the folk group; Currently, not only is the venue used for religious ceremonies, but it also serves as a rehearsal venue for the group and other cultural activities are carried out.

Since 2000, under the auspices of the "Lidia Doce" Medical University, a national scientific event with foreign participation is held in the months of April-May in the city of Sagua la Grande. This is held on that date to honor the eminent Dr. José Joaquín Albarrán, cataloged as Father of Cuban urology, in its beginnings this event had the name UROSAGUA and included works related to this discipline fundamentally, at present it includes all branches of medicine and activities related to it, has changed its name to "Undoso" National Integrative Health Workshop. If a hotel infrastructure is created,This event could, with adequate disclosure, raise the levels of foreign and national participants that today are limited to attend due to the reduced fees assigned to them due to the existing insurance limitations.

The urban tourism product of the Sagua la Grande municipality could be aimed at complementing other modalities with greater possibilities such as sun and beach and ecological tourism; that would help to promote the historical cultural product and that of events and conventions.

Proposal of actions for the conformation of the Urban Tourism Product

There is a project aimed at the rehabilitation of the Spanish Casino building, which aims to preserve the original functions of this property (social function), but proposes to transform its use for the sake of the development of science, technological innovation, scientific-technical information, environmental education and comprehensive general culture of the local population, while rescuing important heritage values and local architecture.

In the long term, once its rehabilitation is finished, it is proposed to expand its use, since a place with these characteristics (sample of relevant scientific results; mounting of traveling exhibitions on various scientific, cultural, etc.; Archaeological Museum) acquires relevance outside the municipality itself that contains it, opening a tourist development option, this leads us to assess the convenience of considering the rehabilitation of the Hotel Sagua and the entire hotel infrastructure of the municipality immediately to have an accommodation capacity in accordance with this purpose and to provide sufficient coverage for the Event held by the Municipality's Medical University.

The restoration of the historic center of the city, which includes the buildings and squares described in the body of the work, providing a greater tourist attraction to the town.

Conclusions

The development of tourism in this area can have an economic impact on the contribution to national income, the impulse to the economic development of the region, the generation of fiscal income, the promotion of investments and the creation of new jobs, aspect very sensitive for the municipality because its unemployment rate was 13%.

Tourism has the ability to become a multiplier effect, most economic sectors experience the influence of tourist consumption, increasing their final results. As tourism grows, aviation, communications, and the extra-hotel network grow, growing the income of all these sectors, but at the same time tourism invests in the national economy by producing for itself.

The city of Sagua la Grande has the attractions and the necessary infrastructure to become a tourist destination, but it is essential to begin a process of rehabilitation of it.

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