 Also in Palmira : a church with an odd steeple will attract attention; it's right by one large Masonic lodge with statues of Minerva, Venus and Hercules as well as the head of St-John-the-Baptist. The village is famous for its annual homage to Santeria in December. At the Museo Municipal de Palmira in Parque central, there are three sections dedicated to Santeria's spiritual variations. |
Visitors can drive 10 km north of Cienfuegos to visit a private garden with no less than 1,200 varieties of orchids created from 70 original seeds, as well as malanguillas and begonias. This is the Jardin Botanico's orchid reserve. The village of Palmira (pop. 33, 425) attracts about 4,000 visitors a year to the backyard of founder Omar Aloma Moreno's casa, on calle Americo. Having started quite young at the Jardin Botanico de Cienfuegos, Omar decided to branch out (unintended pun), starting this, his own private botanical adventure in 1994 backed by his Masters in Agriculture Science. After researching lesser known areas of the Sierra de Escambray mountains, Omar found an heretofore unknown variety of the Adiantum ferns; so, since 2009, the Adiantum alomae is in the official entries, of the fern variety. The vegetal space behind the house exudes with natural exhuberance with a stream, benches and a Japanese-Garden type of zenful peace, esconced by the natural belleza of the Macradenia.  macradenia multiflora Descriptions are aptly provided by attentive guides; a government-supported program to help youngsters learn Public Speaking and Tourist Relations. Omar's private initiative has earned him rare praise : the Excellence Triple Crown awarded by Grupo Nacional de la agricultura Urbana y Suburbana from Cienfuegos province.  Jardin Macradenia calle Americo #19, Palmira Cel phone 53 12 75 41 Facebook page here.  |
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photos © sogestour  Updated |
