Historic Centre of Camagüey
One of the first seven villages founded by the Spanish in Cuba, Camaguey was an urban centre in the interior, mainly engaged in livestock and sugar production. The town was settled in 1528 on its present site and developed in an irregular urban pattern with large and small squares, winding streets, alleys and irregular urban blocks, which is very unusual for Latin American colonial towns located in the plains. The 54-hectare historic centre of Camaguey is an outstanding example of a traditional urban settlement relatively far from the main trade routes. The Spanish colonists were influenced by medieval Europe in the layout of the city and in the traditional building techniques brought to the Americas by their stonemasons and master builders. The heritage reflects the influence of many styles from various eras: neoclassicism, eclecticism, art deco, neocolonialism and some art nouveau and rationalism.