Author Topic: Re: The Hill of the Cross (Read 2754 times)

tsagaert · « **on:** January 29, 2006, 07:52:00 PM »

This is the first time I have seen any mention to The Hill of the Cross, (in Bellagios Holguin Photos). Just wondering if someone can fill me in, what exactly is that, the meaning behind it, location etc.????
Thanks
Tammy/iluv2travel

bellagio · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:06:00 PM »

Loma de la Cruz (Hill of the Cross)
Northern side of the City.
This hill can be seen from nearly anywhere in the city. 458 steps takes you to the top of the hill. There you will find an abandoned watchtower built in 1895, a large wooden Cross, and a spectacular view of the city of Holguin!

This is the best known place in the city and perhaps the most representative. A natural skyline for the city. You can get to the top by car, but the best way is to climb up the 458 steps from the base. On May 3rd 1790, the Fray Francisco Antonio de Alegría placed a wooden cross at the very top of the hill. For years it was the site of pilgrimages and more recently it has been the site for the Romerías de Mayo, a cultural and religious festival that occurs every year during the first week of May.

Historians say that the drawings for the city - which is famous for the straightness of its main roads - were made from the top of this hill in 1752.

tsagaert · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:20:00 PM »

Thanks Bellagio, did you walk up or opt to drive up? My husband just said he is going to run up!!!! Ya right.... :rof:

bellagio · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2006, 08:55:00 PM »

There is a large carpark at the top of the hill, so that is where the tour buses and most people park. Not too many people actually walk down the hill as it is so difficult to climb back up.

Henry, Debmich's husband, ran down the steps and started to run back up them, but in the end decided to walk up the remainder. I went two thirds the way down and found it extremely hard work to walk back up.

Had I had more time I would have attempted it but the first time we were on a bus excursion and time was limited and the second time my friends had a two year old with them so it wasn't practical and I didn't fancy going down on my own in case I exhausted myself climbing back up and I would have no one to assist me!!!!

It really is worth a visit though if you ever get to Holguin.

dfromyyc · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2006, 10:24:00 PM »

it was a long way to the top!!!!!

bellagio · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2006, 05:42:00 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by dfromyyc:
it was a long way to the top!!!!!

Nice one David!!!!

dfromyyc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2006, 03:34:00 PM »

it sure was bellagio!!!!!!

glad that i didn't have to do all 458 steps!!!!!!lol

:cristal:
boy was it a good view from there that day

david

bellagio · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2006, 04:13:00 PM »

Well Henry did it and I really wish I had gone the whole way down in retrospect.

Yes the view was truly amazing.

bellagio · « **Reply #8 on:** April 09, 2006, 11:49:00 PM »

Well now I have climbed it. This time I started from the bottom and brother was it hard work, but I did it.

Watch the short video of me completing the descent:

Short video

To see the pictures click on the following link:

Loma de la Cruz