Bayamo - Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Salvador

Near the Plaza Himno Nacional stands the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Salvador. This church is most important for being the location where the national anthem was first played. Each member of the orchestra to participate in that historic event is listed on a plaque.

The original church, like the rest of the buildings in the town, was burned during the fire of 1869. The only part of the original structure to survive the fire was the Capilla de Dolorosa, constructed in 1740. The chapel is noteworthy for the gilded wood baroque main altar and the statue of the Virgen de Dorolosa, both of which date to 1740. The new Iglesia Parroquial Mayor de San Salvador was built in 1919 and features a mural of Manuel Cespedes blessing the flag, done by Luis Desangles.