Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. It is famed for its Afro-Cuban folklore.

It is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas (Spanish Bahia de Matanzas), 90 kilometers (56 mi) east of the capital Havana and 32 kilometers (20 mi) west of the resort town of Varadero.

Matanzas is called the city of bridges, of which there are seventeen crossing the three rivers that traverse the city (Rio Yumuri, San Juan, and Canimar). For this reason it was referred to as the "Venice of Cuba." It was also called "La Atenas de Cuba" (the Athens of Cuba) for its poets.

Attractions

• Pharmaceutical Museum - established in 1882

• Museo Historico Provincial de Matanzas - Provincial History Museum

• Sauto Theatre - Teatro Sauto - hosts theatre plays, opera, ballet, symphonic concerts, is a National Monument of Cuba

• Catedral San Carlos De Borromeo

• Bellamar caves, also a National Monument of Cuba.

• Casino Español

• Matanzas High School (Palm Coast)

• Necropolis de San Carlos Borromeo

• Quinta de Bellamar, heritage house and church

• University of Matanzas is the province's secondary education institution.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/