Cachito del Mar

The location is on Matanzas Bay (on the Straits of Florida), approximately 50 miles (80 km) east of Havana.

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It was founded in 1693, although its excellent bay had been known to the Spanish since 1508 and had been used by pirates. By 1860 Matanzas had become the second city of Cuba, The city has been called the Athens of Cuba because of its active cultural institutions and because of the many scholars and artists who have worked there. It has scenic drives, plazas, and monuments; historic buildings include San Severino Castle (17th century) and San Carlos Cathedral (1730).