MIAMI, United States. — On May 3, 1790, the friar Francisco Antonio de Alegría installed a wooden cross on top of a hill located in the eastern part of what is now the city of Holguín. As a result of that event, the place became known as Loma de la Cruz and inspired a tradition that is still maintained.
La Loma de la Cruz is a popular tourist destination due to its panoramic views and its historical importance. The cross and the viewpoint are 261 meters high.
Every May 3, people from Holguin go up to Loma de la Cruz as part of a tradition called “La Subida a la Loma”. The climb is a religious pilgrimage and is believed to bring good luck and blessings to those who participate.
In addition to the famous cross and the viewpoint, Loma de la Cruz also has a small museum dedicated to the history of the hill and its importance to the city. There are also several walking trails on site that lead to the summit, providing visitors with stunning views of Holguín and the surrounding countryside.
At the beginning of the 20th century, at the initiative of a neighbor named Oscar Albanés, historian and father of Holguin Library Science, restoration works on the slopes, at the base and at the top.
The works were carried out by the architect Vicente Biosca and concluded on May 3, 1950, the day the second cross was placed, since the first one was already badly damaged.
On that occasion, the restoration works of the place were financed by the residents of the town, who resorted to raffles and collections.
The cross that can be seen today at the top of the hill was built with Caguairán, a precious wood that was abundant in the forests of the Bariay region.
On September 21, 2015, during one of his visits to Cuba, Pope Francis blessed the city from Loma de la Cruz in what was the last stop on his tour of that city in eastern Cuba.
