Iglesia de San José, Holguín
Swing by the Iglesia de San José in Holguín and explore one of the prettiest Catholic churches in the whole Cuba
Iglesia de San José, Holguín
© Tai Pan of HK
The Iglesia de San José (San José Church) located at the Parque Céspedes (Céspedes Park) in the city of Holguín, is one of the most significant religious temples in Cuba thanks to its architecture as well as its historic value. In spite of having suffered many remodellings as the years went by the church has not lost its beauty over the years.
Before the actual construction there was a small chapel that the Franciscan, after the official recognition of Holguín as a city, ordered to be built at this square in 1752 and that finally ended up disappearing because of the march of the youth. In 1803, the construction of a new church was authorised and it would take 12 years to build it, four more years to open it because of the village’s donations that allowed the construction.
In today’s world the native church would differ a lot and the main tower is probably among the few preserved elements. At first, the temple had three naves, a small section at the back as a sacristy and the house of the priest; a gable roof, both exterior and interior sides are characterised by austerity and lack of decoration.
After hardly a couple of centuries the first remodellings took place, although paradoxically these first ones would be the only neoclassical elements preserved today: the main tower and the clock.
In the 20th century this temple was almost totally remodelled, giving rise to a new church. All these changes wanted to stretch space in the church, but really it still remained as a sample of the economical advances of the upper class. Still, the new church is an amazing building of eclectic style decorating the town and increasing its artistic and cultural patrimony.
Besides, this church has great historical value, as it was an important location during the independence wars. The main tower was used by the Spanish troops as a planned vigilance spot, as from there they were able to see the entire city and the location of enemy troops.
More information:
Location:
Parque Céspedes, Holguín
Telephone:
(+53) 24 423155
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:
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