Plaza de la Marqueta, Holguín
Visit the Plaza de la Marqueta in Holguín, Cuba, an old market plaza and a cultural as well as artistic spot nowadays
The Plaza de la Marqueta (Marqueta Square) or Plaza del Mercado (Market Square), another of the lovely squares in the Cuban city of Holguín, is a significant spot covering a crucial part of local life since its foundation in 1848.
The Marqueta Square emerged to meet the necessity of a spot where to instal the city market. At first, it was placed at the Plaza de Armas, but when it faced numerous complaints it was moved to the San José Square without much success. Lastly, an idea was supported consisting of fitting out an area near the Laguna de Lugones (Lugones Lake).
The first project of the square market soon needed renovation because of the wear and insalubrity of the installation. Subsequently, the construction works of the Mercado Modelo building started, opened in 1918. A beautiful building with brick walls, a roof of steel truss and outward-facing galleries. Thanks to the market’s success, the area’s infrastructure started to develop and many businesses decided to open in the surroundings, making up a happy as well as busy spot full of Holguín habitants.
Since 1960 the essence of the square changed when many businesses were placed in administration and the establishments were turned into houses and offices. In 1968 the Mercado Modelo was turned into a ceramics factory and the square was transformed into a cultural complex with a concert hall.
This evolution has continued till this very moment and the Marqueta Square, although it still does not have that movement sensation so beloved that the market had is nowadays a bohemian spot governed by the art and the culture. The square is full of local sculptures remenishing important figures as well as other types of artistic expressions and it makes up one of the cultural centres of the city.
We have to highlight that apart of its charm as an essential part of daily life, the place where the old market was used to be an important spot for the 26th of July Movement, a political and military organisation led by Fidel Castro who lastly overthrew Fulgencio Batista’s regime, as it served as a meeting point among the members.
More information:
Location:
Plaza de la Marqueta, entre la calle Martí y Máximo Gómez, Holguín
Interactive map:
Holguín
City of Holguín
What to see:
- Holguín Cathedral
- Parque Peralta
- Parque Calixto García
- Biblioteca Álex Urquiola
- Parque Céspedes
- Iglesia de San José
- Plaza de la Marqueta
- Plaza de la Revolución Calixto García
- La Loma de la Cruz
- Fábrica de Órganos
- Mirador de Mayabe
Museums:
Gíbara
What to see:
Museums:
- Museo de Historia Natural
- Museo de Historia Municipal
- Museo de Artes Decorativas
- Galería Cosme Proenza
Beaches:
Banes
What to see:
- Guardalavaca
- Parque Natural Cristóbal Colón
- Sitio Histórico de Birán
- Acuario de Cayo Naranjo
- Bioparque Rocazul
- Parque Nacional Monumento Bariay
- Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad
- Locomotora a vapor 964
Museums:
Beaches:
Other nearby destinations:
Why "Cuban Travel Agency"?
"Cuban Travel Agency" is part of the Visitar Cuba project, an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:
- ✓ Disseminate Cuba, its culture and its heritage.
- ✓ Promote sustainable tourism.
- ✓ Support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.
- ✓ Offer budgets without commitment and without cost, from the hand of Cuban experts.
Travel agencies and Tour Operators
If you are an agency or tour operator and you are looking for help to create trips to Cuba, trust our expert hands, we offer special prices.
© www.CubanTravelAgency.Org - All rights reserved.