The Provincial Palace of Government of Santiago de Cuba Work of the architect and civil engineer Carlos Segrera Fernández. Inaugurated on June 23, 1926, in an eclectic style, it was declared a National Monument in 2003. It is since its inception, the center of government of the Province.
This work is located in the central Aguilera Street, in front of the Emilio Bacardí Museum, the work of the same architect.
With more than 90 years of foundation, in all this time the headquarters building of the Provincial Assembly has been a privileged witness of national and international events that have contributed to give a marked historicity to this site.
This majestic representative construction of Santiago eclecticism, for the architectural and historical values accumulated throughout its evolution and for being the seat of the government for so many years, as well as the significant fact that in its halls he was given honor guard to the remains of the National Hero, José Martí, was declared a National Monument by Resolution No. 180 on November 12, 2002, backed by the National Monuments Commission of the Ministry of Culture. Likewise, the Center was awarded the "Heroes of the Moncada" distinction.
The land on which it is located was ceded by the Congress of the Republic by Law of February 18, 1914. The property is owned by the Cuban state represented by the Provincial Assembly of People's Power.
Building
Since the beginning of Spanish rule, the provincial government headquarters had been located next to the City Hall, in a building in front of the Plaza de Armas. With the political structures of the early twentieth century arises the interest of the authorities of the province, to build a building appropriate to the functions of provincial government. For this, a central place was chosen and a solid, safe and modern architecture building was required. In 1914 the Congress of the republic granted the land it occupies today. The Provincial Government put out to tender the construction project of the Provincial Palace of the East, to which only the architect Carlos Segrera was presented as a contestant, with the «ROMA» project. With modifications in small details, to adapt it to the approved budget, the original project is accepted. The construction actions began in March 1923 and after years of sustained work the Provincial Government Palace was officially inaugurated on June 23, 1926.
History
Its history is linked to one of the most significant events in the nation: the realization of the funeral honors of the Apostle, on June 29 and 30, 1951, as part of the program called Cuban Burial of José Martí. As of January 1, 1959, the building has hosted different government structures, and since 1976 of the Provincial People's Power Assembly.
Visit of personalities to the institution
Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz, July 23, 1970.
Commander Ernesto Che Guevara. On five occasions he held meetings, one as President of the Bank and another four as Minister of Industry.
Raúl Castro Ruz General of the Army and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba
Commander Juan Almeida Bosques
Commander of the Revolution Guillermo García Frías
Cosmonaut Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez.
Celia Sánchez Manduley.
Vilma Espín Guillois.
Armando Hart Dávalos.
Jorge Risquet Valdés.
José Ramón Fernández.
Sportsmen such as Teófilo Stevenson, María Caridad Colón, Baudilio Vinent, Fausto Álvarez, Fermín Laffita, Omara Durán, as well as other prominent personalities from the world of art, politics, among others.
