Matanzas

About

Founded in 1693 by royal decree, Mantazas quickly became an affluent port city, thanks in large part to its lucrative sugar cane plantations. During the 19th century, it was the Cuba’s second-largest city after Havana, though over 60% of the population were slaves. In its heyday, it was Cuba’s cultural hub, spawning the island’s finest playwright, new musical genres including the danzón, its more upbeat sibling, the mambo, and the rhythmic rumba. And the huge black population made the city a cradle of African culture, birthing religions like Santería. All of this was largely suppressed following Cuba's 1959 revolution, and the city fell into decline until 2018, when Matanzas was given an overhaul for its 325th birthday. Once you get past the rough edges, you’ll find streets lined with vibrant murals and contemporary art, and some of Cuba’s finest colonial architecture, like the iconic Sauto theater and a number of fascinating museums, ranging from the unique Pharmaceutical Museum, to the Provincial Museum.