moncada barracks

Very informative displays and photographs, we found this one of the best museums about the Revolution that we visited whilst travelling around Cuba. The bullet holes are still in the front of the building.

If you are a history buff this has to be on your list when visiting Cuba. There is very little written in english so unless you are willing to spend a fair about of time with a translator or a guide (none were available at the time we were there). There are some nice pieces of art and one of the few photo exhibitions of Fidel (This one as an old man ) that we have seen. They have a wardrobe full of bloody clothes and lots of weapons to see. It is an interesting to see the kids playing in the courtyard.

Rather the good guys' story, as you'd expect, but more varied material and better displayed than in on or two other similar

This former military installation (complete with fake bullet holes) is now a large school for the town. There is a small museum/gift shop with a good set of pictures and displays. Since you're in town, stop by. You might even set to see the kids playing on the large athletic field that was once for military training.

iT IS NICE LOOKING PLACE do not forget Cubans love theirs country to death. they love tourists,lots people criticize cuba for prostitution and begger,them people are allover the world not just in cuba. cuba have lots oil and mineral and is on the ocean sea.beautiful place.

ask for English tour guide ! we have done 2 round without the guide and we decided to wait and ask for this service (included in entry price).The lady guide knowledge was expanded, she explained clearly history and exponents, this made big difference for visiting alone.Good walk from center (around 20-25mins from Plaza de Marte) but on the way back go via small streets to see real streets and peoples life's.it's not big but worth to visit

If you are interested in cuban and the cold war history you should visit this museum. Its really interesting to see how they present their point of view and the start of the revolution.

The impressive Moncada building with bullet holes still visible (are they really original?) is interesting place to visit. There was a soccer game on, when I visited as it is now a regular school. There is also an interesting monument nearby on Parque Santamaria, Hospital grounds and view on Hotel Melia on one side and the harbour on the other side.Stone throw from Plaza de Marte. No fee, if you just visit the grounds.

The reason for my title is that was my first impression of these barracks, it does have the appearance of a boys toy castle, the yellow colour of the building just adds to this feeling, but once you hear the part this place has played in the violent history of Cuba, you come to appreciate its history, the fact it is now a school somehow makes it harder to understand just what went on here, the bullet holes in the walls are a good clue, the day we visited there was a street market in progress which added to the experience, give it a visit if in Santiago.

I was in Cuba with the Theodore Roosevelt Association in Feb 2012 actually. It was interesting to see where Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries launch their revolution. The building is riddled with bullet holes and classes are taught inside. It was also interesting to see that the weapons the revolutionaries used were American made like the M1s and Thompson.

The building was named after General Guillermo Moncada who fought against Spain in the last liberation war (1895-98). It is considered a landmark since this ex military headquarters was attacked by a handful of rebels under Fidel Castro during the unsuccessful revolution of 1953. Nowadays houses schools and a very interesting and enlightening Museum about what the rebels suffered when captured by a totalitarian regime and how this fact led to the Cubans' revolution.I don't agree with those saying that the Revolution Museums in Cuba are one- sighted!!!! All history is one-sighted!!! One should judge by himself! We have to pay to take pictures but this happens in many museums in many countries not only in Cuba.

This former military barracks now houses a school and a museum. The museum details the failed 26th July 1953 attack by Fidel’s rebel army on the barracks, which is widely accepted as the beginning of the Revolution. Bullet holes from this attack are still visible in the front façade of the building (they were filled in by Batista’s army and then re-formed by Fidel after the Revolution). The museum’s displays are in Spanish, so we had an English speaking guide show us through. She wasn’t particularly easy to understand and I found the tour quite long-winded and must admit I lost interest towards the end. Definitely an important part of Cuba’s Revolutionary history and worth a visit though.

Visit the place where the revolution began has a good museum if you are interested in the revolution. The museum is only a small part of the building most of it houses a school.

As part of a Revoluntionary Road trip of Cuba this was a highlight ,but I would highly recommend it .The building is now a school but the history of the building has been preserved bullet holes in the walls .The museum is well presented and easy to follow the episode in Cubas history .

This museum is very well resourced if you want to find out about the events at Moncarda Barracks. it has excellent air con too!