cementerio santa ifigenia

This is a special place. Beautiful cemetery. Cuban tombs are exquisite. The changing of the guards in not to be missed. Military precision. They march in to the tomb, switch places, and mafrch out. If you want good still photos, stand at the start of the lane to the tomb and shoot back with a long lens. If you are taking video, better to be closer to the tomb. Some of the guards can be testy about photos. Get there early for a front row stand.

We organized a visit via our casa and had as much time as we wanted to spend. There are many, many beautiful works of art in marble. Every half hour, 24 hours a day they change the guard at the Marti memorial. It's a wonderful place to visit. If you get there early in the morning the light is best but the shadows can be fewer at noon. The sun at noon on the white marble can be rather intense so bring sunglasses. We spent a couple hours just wandering around and it was worth the time.

We arrived just in time to watch the Honor Guard march to the mausoleum of Jose Marti. The mausoleum is quite beautiful and a fitting tribute to one of Cuba's most important national heroes. The cemetery is unlike any I've ever seen before - row upon row of beautiful statues and monuments, punctuated by mausoleums here and there with pathways of marble throughout. It is hauntingly beautiful and serene.

otherwise pass. Kinda interesting changing of the guard evry half hour, if you like goose-stepping guards. I wounder if Jose Marti would have approved.

I've been able to see both of Cuba's largest, stately cemeteries.In July '14, while in Havana, I visited the Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón in Vedado. In 1876, construction began on the design by Spaniard, Calixto Arellano de Loira y Cardosa, who is also reputed to be the cemetery's first occupant. I naively believed that I could easily locate the graves of a few favourite Cuban personalities in these 140 acres, using directions from the gate attendant. After an hour of walking in the scorching July sun, I realized that I should have just bought a guide! While not finding what I was looking for, I was still able to view unique, interesting and beautiful memorials to persons of all walks of life although some monuments are sadly in need of repair. There are also hundreds of mausoleums and vaults in a vast variety of architectural styles. The occasional taxi passing through does not take away from the grandness, solemnness and dignity of this final resting place - although maybe not so final, ..space is at such a premium that bodies are moved after three years from some sites to make room for upcoming 'passers-through'. When there, look for the tomb of 'La Milagrosa,' sought by locals for performing miracles, and also look for the tomb of Alberto Korda, the photographer famous for the iconic 'Che' portrait.In Santiago de Cuba, a must-see is the Cemeterio Santa Ifigenia. Built in 1868, it is also the resting place to many notable Cubans including first president, Tomás Estrada Palma; Frank País; Emilio Bacardí y Moreau; and Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. Its most conspicuous citizen, however, is José Martí, whose mausoleum offers a fitting tribute - it is said that Martí wished, even in death, to face the sun. His coffin is surrounded by windows that allow the sun to bathe it as the day passes. Every 30 minutes, there is a changing of the guard at the tomb as the national anthem is played. Although the Santa Ifigenia is considerably smaller than Havana's Necrópolis, it is more beautiful and lavish. Many monuments are of granite or marble, instead of concrete, and much of the cemetery is paved in marble. It is very impressive, as well as manageable to take in. I recommend both as essential destinations while touring Cuba.

I visited as part of an organised tour of Cuba and thought this was a stunningly beautiful place. As others have mentioned, it is full of the tombs of Cuba's rich and famous as well as heroes of the revolution, and will be Fidel Castro's eventual resting place. The guard at Jose Marti's mausoleum is changed every half hour and is well worth seeing.

Came here as part of an organised tour - it's not somewhere I would have chosen to go but the main 'attraction' is the mausoleum of Jose Marti who the tour guide kept referring to as 'Cuba's national hero' . The mausoleum itself is quite spectacular - a 'winning design' that represents the various districts of Cuba. His remains are covered with a Cuban flag and it's designed to let in lot of light as he stipulated he wanted to be buried with the sun and fresh flowers - so much so that the flowers are replaced regularly. Every 30 minutes there is a changing of the guard which is completed with total military precision!! That's worth seeing if you're there.You'll also see the tomb of the Bacardi family. It's a vast cemetery and very well maintained but can't really see any reason why you'd choose to wander around it unless you really wanted to get more of an insight into other famous (famous to Cubans) Cubans.

like i said my parents are history buffs when it comes to vacating on islands they want to know it all so we went all over the darn city! each corner untouched by us? no way jose* i just nodded while the guide chatted lol. mes parents? enthralled* Smh*

How do you put into words your experience of a visit to a cemetery? This was and is more than just a cemetery it is an experience not to be missed, my only critiscism is that we were not given enough time to explore(We were on an organised tour) If you want to see this place properly then make your way here under your own steam and not on an organised tour. The cementerio Santa Ifigenia is stunning and immaculately tended (Well worth the 5cc fee , that is if you wish to use a camera!) You can also observe a ceremony conducted by the military which honours the father of Cuba(In my own opinion that is)(Jose Marti National hero) The whole ceremony is quite moving, in my opinion anyway, although I did hear a woman comment , what was all that about, no soul ? If you get the chance to visit then please do because I believe it is something out of the ordinary. Enjoy your visit.

Cementerio Santa Ifigenia is the second oldest cemetery in Cuba (1868). You will find the graves of the formerly rich (Emilio Bacardi), national heroes (Marti), beloved singers and composers (Pepe Sanches, Compay Segundo), political leaders, (Tomas Palma, Cespedes, future resting place of Fidel), soldiers (from Santiago or Angola) and graves of ordinary people. Walking in the heat, you must admire the ceremonial guards standing motionless in front of Marti monument.One peso entry fee and probably 5 peso (negotiate) horse buggy ride or tricycle from the harbour area (there and back). Stay long enough for the changing guard and wear a hat or umbrella. You could also walk along harbour, the rum factory and railway station, if it is not too hot for you. You can get a guide - we did. Many are offering their services for free, in hope for your generosity. This guide service is really no different than in Europe, where Free Guided Tours are offered officially in the major cities. You tip if you like the service.Typically a guide will try to attach to you, by pretending to work in your hotel and noticing you there.You may realize, it is a lie, but you got nothing to lose, to go along with his game. He (it is always he - I met five guides in 2 days) will have reasonable knowledge of the city and will try to sell you (through his buddies) rum, cigars, girls and suggest a restaurant. You can take nothing or everything - there is no strong pressure. We took his suggestion to visit a restaurant near Padre Pico steps. It was a very good choice, as it had several terraces overlooking the city, nice breeze and good food. You do not pay more, by being recommended as the prices are on the menu. He may get some commission later.Some may view it it as a scam, but since if you are strong willed, you get your money worth and have hopefully good experience. If you are easily fooled, Just say NO, before you get entangled.

So much to see in this cemetery. The changing of the guards happens every half hour and is a splendid spectacle. The Cubans do love a hero and Jose Marti is truly honoured. There are many graves in the cemetery and all are looked after. it may sound strange but it was an overall enjoyable experience walking around looking at the many different headstones, I'm glad we came.

My husband and I visited Cuba in October and this sight was very unexpected as it contrasts so much with all others. It reflects Cuba's fascinating history which led to my buying a copy of Castro's speech when being tried in Court for the 26 July 1953 rebellion " History will absolve me". A tomb is being built as his final resting place at this cemetry. Does anyone know the music played for the Changing of the Guard - it is striking!

First of all if you visit this cemetery you must purchase a ticket to use your camera, this is without doubt the most impressive cemetery I have had the privilege to visit, Cubas national hero ( Jose Marti) has a moseleum here at which there is a changing of the guard every 1/2 hour, a sight to behold, the Bacardi family are well represented there is also a memorial to the Cuban troop killed in Angola

Agree with earlier reviews, but just want to add that when you see the black "26 julio" flag with the flag of Cuba, that denotes the dearly departed are revolutionary fighters. In addition, there are many famous musicians buried in this cemetery, for example, Pepe Sanchez, the creator of son music.

I was in Cuba with the Theodore Roosevelt Association in Feb 2012 actually. I had the opportunity to see the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of Jose Marti, considered to be the George Washington of Cuba. Patriotic music in the background with goose stepping from the men and women in uniform was very unique and new for me.