Cuba /Aug 30, 2016
Located on the northern side of Parque Jose Marti, the Teatro Tomas Terry is probably the single most impressive building in Cienfuegos and certainly on a par with the better known Gran Teatro de la Habana in Cuba’s capital city.
Tomas Terry was a hugely wealthy Venezuelan industrialist who, as the name suggests, came from Irish stock on his father’s side. Although his immediate family were from Venezuela, Tomas Terry made his fortune in Cuba, initially from slavery before branching out into sugar, banking and import / export. On his death in 1886 he was said to be the richest man in Cuba.
Unfortunately for Tomas Terry, he died before the theatre he funded at huge personal expense was completed in 1889. Even then, the first performance didn’t take place until 12th February 1890.
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Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Cuba. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
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Architecturally, the building shares both French and Italian influences and is one of the most ornate buildings anywhere in Cuba, as immediately evidenced by the beautiful, gold-leafed mosaics on the front façade.
As ornate as the building is on the outside it is, if anything, even more beautiful inside – almost nothing of the original 950 seat auditorium seems to have changed in well over 100 years. Although it might not draw the same calibre of international stars it once did – Enrico Caruso, Sarah Bernhardt and Anna Pavola amongst them – it is still frequently in use today.
The square on which the Teatro Tomas Terry is located, Parque Jose Marti, is right in the centre of Cienfuegos and surrounded on all 4 sides by grand civic buildings. Both the Melia Union & Melia San Carlos hotels are just a short stroll away as is the wonderful Palo Gordo casa particular.
Lovers of theatre architecture may also wish to visit the Gran Teatro de la Habana as well as the Teatro Sauto in Matanzas, La Caridad in Santa Clara, both of which were also built in the 19th century.
Enjoy a private Cuba tour with your own driver / guide. This 10 night itinerary takes in the highlights of western Cuba but is only a small taste of what we can offer.
For clients with an interest in Cuban history, both old and new, this 14-night itinerary takes in many of the country’s most important destinations, starting in Havana and ending in Santiago before flying back to the capital.
This fully flexible, 14 night private tour takes in the length of the island and includes visits to many of the key destinations associated with the Cuba Revolution.
The Palacio de Valle is a whimsical, mainly Moorish-inspired building located in the coastal city of Cienfuegos on Cuba’s south coast.
Punta Gorda is a picturesque, residential neighbourhood of Cienfuegos that directly overlooks the Bay of Cienfuegos on Cuba's south coast
El Nicho is the name of a picturesque waterfall located just outside of Topes de Collantes National Park in Cuba’s Cienfuegos province.
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Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
