World Heritage Identification Number: 1202
World Heritage since: 2005
Category: Cultural Heritage
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: No
Country: 🇨🇺 Cuba
Continent: Americas
UNESCO World Region: Latin America and the Caribbean
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The Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos: A Unique Blend of French and Spanish Architecture
The Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos, situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba, stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of this island nation. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, this colonial town offers a unique blend of French and Spanish architectural styles that have shaped its urban landscape since its founding in 1819.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
The colonial town of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 in the Spanish territory but was initially settled by immigrants of French origin. It became a trading place for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba at the heart of the country’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee production area, the town first developed in the neoclassical style. It later became more eclectic but retained a harmonious overall townscape. Among buildings of particular interest are the Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Bishopric, the Ferrer Palace, the former lyceum, and some residential houses. Cienfuegos is the first, and an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble representing the new ideas of modernity, hygiene and order in urban planning as developed in Latin America from the 19th century.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (ii): The historic town of Cienfuegos exhibits an important interchange of influences based on the Spanish Enlightenment, and it is an outstanding early example of their implementation in urban planning in Latin America in the 19th century.
Criterion (iv): Cienfuegos is the first and an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble representing the new ideas of modernity, hygiene and order, in urban planning as these developed in the Latin America from the 19th century.
Encyclopedia Record: Historic Centre of Cienfuegos
The Historic Centre of Cienfuegos, is located in the city of Cienfuegos in Cuba. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, because of its outstanding Neoclassical architecture and its status as the best example of early 19th century Spanish urban planning. The historic centre contains six buildings from 1819 to 1850, 327 buildings from 1851 to 1900, and 1188 buildings from the 20th century.Additional Site Details
Area: 70 hectares
(iv) — Outstanding example of a type of building or landscape
Coordinates: 22.145887 , -80.452183
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