Cuba: Santiago de Cuba – Santa Ifigenia Cemetery

The spectacular Santa Ifigenia Cemetery in Santiago de Cuba is perhaps as packed with celebrities and famous politicians as the Recolatte in Buenos Aires. Fidel Castro’s ashes are here, as is the Mausoleum to Jose Marti, the foremost here of Cuba. Another national hero – Carlos Cespedes is also buried here, as is Antonio Maceo – a revolutionary general. These graves are guarded by soldiers and the ceremony of changing of the guards takes every hour. The internal flame burns in front of the Fidel’s grave. The sprawling cemetery dates back to 1868, so quite a few famous pre-Revolution Cubans are buried here as well, such as Facundo Bacardi – founder of Bacardi rum empire, his son Emilio Bacardi and mayor of Santiago, and many more. There are also mass graves – Pantheon of the Dead for the Defense, Pantheon to the Martyrs of Virginius, and Pantheon of the Revolution’s Martyrs. Lots and lots of white marble everywhere!
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