“What if these cobblestones could talk?” I ask you. Welcome to Revolution Square in Trinidad. It is a place where time seems to stand still. The square is the historic heart of this charming town. Trinidad itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988.
The Plaza Mayor’s story began with the city itself in 1514. Back then it was known as Plaza de la Iglesia. That name translates to Church Square. This was because it was part of the main parish. Over time the square evolved. It took its current form in the mid-19th century. Trinidad was booming thanks to sugar production.
As you stroll around Revolution Square, imagine the wealthy landowners. They built their grand houses here in the 18th and 19th centuries. Sugar and the slave trade brought them riches. When those trades declined, Trinidad became a backwater. This decline preserved the colonial buildings around the square.
Take a look around Revolution Square. You will see gardens on a raised platform. Paths divide these gardens into quarters. White wrought-iron fences protect the four small garden beds. Cobbled streets separate the square from the buildings. Wrought-iron lamp-posts add to the charm. Statues of English greyhounds stand guard. Columns with terra-cotta finials decorate the plaza.
The colonial houses have red terracotta tiled roofs. Wooden beams support the roofs beyond the walls. Pastel colors adorn the houses. Wood and plaster details stand out in different colors. Large main doors often have smaller entrance doors. These doors open directly into a living area. Windows lack glass. Instead, they have wooden bars. These bars allow air to circulate. In the 19th century, wooden shutters replaced these bars.
To the northeast stands the Church of the Holy Trinity. Construction finished in 1892. It replaced a 17th-century church destroyed by a cyclone. Inside is an 18th-century wooden statue of Christ. It is called “The Lord of the True Cross”. This statue was meant for Veracruz in Mexico. Bad weather forced the ship back to Trinidad three times. The locals saw this as divine intervention. They housed the statue in the church.
To the left of the church is the Brunet Palace. It was built in 1812. It now houses the Romantic Museum. The museum displays objects that belonged to the Borrell family. The house features a central courtyard. You can still see the original marble floor and frescoes.
Across from the Brunet Palace is the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis. It houses the Museum of the Fight against Bandits. These bandits fought against Fidel Castro after the Cuban Revolution. The bell tower is a significant landmark. It even appears on the 25-cent convertible peso coin.
On the east side is the Museum of Guamuhaya Archeology. Guamuhaya was the indigenous name for the area. The museum features Pre-Columbian finds. It also has artifacts from the Spanish conquest. Alexander von Humboldt stayed here during his visit to Cuba.
Across the square is the House of the Sánchez Iznaga. It houses the Museum of Colonial Architecture. The building shows typical grilled and shuttered windows. It features an elegant portico.
At the bottom of the square is the House of Mayor Ortiz. It was built in 1809. It has many typical Trinidadian features.
Slightly down the road is the Cantero Palace. It is now the Municipal History Museum. A tower offers views of the Revolution Square and the city.
Revolution Square embodies the colonial Caribbean spirit. It exudes warmth and life. The marble greyhounds and palm trees lead to the heart of the square. The Greek muse Terpsichore rests on a pedestal. These gardens with their white gates from Philadelphia complete the picture. As you leave, remember the stories whispered by these old stones.