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Since May 3, 1790 Fray Antonio de Alegria climed with a wooden cross on his shoulder up to the top of Bayado Hill and he placed it on its top, so the hill changed its name and a story started that turned it into a symbol in Holguin.
La Loma de la Cruz, as it was called since then, became an obliged place where the people from Holguin used to climb in procession to officiate mass, keep a promise and celebrate the processions, a religious commemoration that turned into popular party, because they used to dance, drink and play.
Spaniards built a fortress to defend the new city on the valley on the north, for its privilege position. This valley is opened by Jigue and Marañon Rivers and it is 275 meters over the sea level.
In the second half of the 20th century, they promoted the construction of a staircase to help access the top of the hill, and it was financed by the funds collected in popular collects, tombolas and festivals. It was not finished until May 3, 1950.
These traditional Processions of the Cross in May were not carried out as they used to years ago and they were rescued by the Saiz’ Brothers Association and turned into May Festivals, an international event of the youth and artists which is annually held in Holguin.
At present, La Loma de la Cruz natural guardian and viewpoint from where you can appreciate the city of Holguin, eastern province of Cuba, has a new staircase with 462 steps made of concrete -that did not need to collect funds and substituted the other one in bad conditions-, strong, the chapel and viewpoints restored, cafeterias and restaurants to make the stay of the visitors more pleasant in any period of the year.
