Originally designed in order to confuse raiders to the town, locally Camaguey is known as "The Maze" - as you need to have rather good navigational skills in order to work your way around the labyrinth of narrow and twisting streets that start and end in the city's public squares. Among these is Cuba's narrowest recognised street - Funda del Catre Alley. Today the city is a popular stopping off point for those who want to view some of Cuba's best earthenware pots and jars.
HISTORYThe city of Camaguey was founded is the early part of the Sixteenth Century (1514) and today is consider one of the centers of traditional Cuba culture. The city has continued to flourish since then and is the birth-place of Ignacio Agramounte - a leading general and Cuban hero during the War of Independence against Spain (whose body, having been killed in action, was later burnt in the town square by the Spanish). It is also the place of birth of Cuba's National Poet - Nicolas Guillen. Today the city forms the center of Cuba's cattle country.