Camagüey, one of the 7 original Spanish settlements in Cuba, was founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez as Santa María Puerto del Principe. In 1903, the city changed its name to Camagüey.
The symbol of Camagüey is the clay pot or tinajón, used to collect rainwater and keep it fresh. You’ll see tinajónes everywhere, some of which are still in use.
Camagüey is also known for its twelve churches housing valuable art collections and religious artifacts from the colonial period. There are some lovely museums including the Museo Provincial Ignacio Agramonte.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, large parts of Camagüey are currently being restored. Only Havana Vieja rivals this city for colonial renovation. There are also plenty of new restaurants and bars around town.
