Baconao Park is a large park region, located about 20 kilometers away from the city of Santiago de Cuba, with a total surface are of 92,360 hectares. In 1987, it was declared a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.[1]
Origin of Name
The name Baconao is related to the name of a little native that lived in the south of Cuba during the pre-Columbian period. Legend mentions a magical tree, called bacona, that allowed the kid to play music from the lagoon's snails.
This little Cuban was known for his fishing and swimming skills, as well as playing Batos (Cuban original baseball game).
The kid used to sit under the bacona tree to play music from his snail. Everybody in the village were fascinated, and thought that the skills to play the music were given by the magical tree. Therefore, they began to call the kid Baconao.
One day, the young boy left the village for a trip, and never came back. The villagers believed that the kid's magic returned back to the trees, and as time passed, the whole area got the name Baconao.
Attractions
The park is filled with attractions other than wildlife refuges and coffee plantations.
Great Rock (Gran Piedra)
The Great Rock is a large rock of volcanic origin, measuring 51 meters long, 25 meters high, and 30 meters wide. Its estimated weight is more than 63 thousand tons.
It is possible to climb 459 stone steps to the summit of the rock, and stand 1,234 meters above sea level for a panoramic view. It is said that on a dark night one can see the lights of Jamaica.
Prehistoric Valley
In the Valle de la Prehistoria visitors encounter dozens of life-size model dinosaurs sculpted in stone and other prehistoric creatures lurking in lush vegetation.
Farm (Granjita Siboney)
Where the attackers of the Moncada Barracks (Cuartel Moncada) led by Fidel Castro, spent the night prior to the attack on July 26, 1953
Botanical Garden
There is also a 45 hectare garden, the Jardin Ave de Paraiso, dating from 1860, that was laid out on a former coffee plantation and features a series of colour-coded gardens with unique scents and displays in each.
Museum]] of History of Terrestrial Transport
Displays over 2,500 reduced-scale car replicas.
Aquarium
The aquarium is 30 meters deep, and has a submarine tunnel, and a Dolphinarium.
Baconao Lagoon
The lagoon has an area of 4 km². There is also a reproduction of a Taíno Village, and a restaurant specialized in seafood.
References
- ^ UNESCO Biosphere - Baconao
