Although it is not considered one of the first seven townships in Cuba, San Juan de los Remedios rubs shoulders well among them.
Its history dates back to the second decade of the 16th century, when it was founded by the Spanish colonizer Vasco Porcallo de Figueroa.
The founding date of Remedios has been a matter of controversy, and there are those who defend that the Spanish had already arrived there before the Governor Diego Velázquez founded most of the first colonial townships on the island.
Currently, June 24, 1515 is recognized as the day of its foundation, which supports its designation as the “Eighth Township.” In addition, it is known as the “City of Doorknockers,” the “City of Legends” and, more recently, as the “Cradle of the Parrandas,” the popular festivity that distinguishes it throughout the planet and that was declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Located today in the province of Villa Clara and the capital of the homonymous municipality, Remedios has among its emblematic places its Martí Park — formerly Plaza de Armas — and its San Juan Bautista Parish Church, with its imposing gold-plated altar. Also, museums such as the one for the Parrandas and the one dedicated to the famous musician Alejandro García Caturla, and the Statue of Liberty, the only one of its kind in Cuba.
Land of legends such as that of the Güije, the Dog of the Hill and the Head of Patricio, the township was also sacked by pirates and invaded by legions of demons, according yo the legendary chronicles of yesteryear.
Those mythical episodes would go on to literature, cinema and the popular imagination to reach the present day.
But beyond the city and its rich history, Remedios is also the green of its fields and the blue of its sky, its humble, happy and hard-working people. Its proximity to the sea and other places of tourist interest, added to its own values, have also made it an attraction for visitors from inside and outside the island.
Our photojournalist Otmaro Rodríguez recently visited it and offers us a first graphic approach to the “Eighth Township.” In a future gallery he promises us to approach its traditional celebration par excellence: the colorful Parrandas.
Museum of the Sugar Agroindustry, on the road between Caibarién and Remedios, in the province of Villa Clara. Photo: Otmaro Rodríguez.
