Holguin - La Periquera / Museo Provincial de Historia

The Museo Provincial de Historia in Holguin is housed in the building known as La Periquera. This name was actually a nickname given to this neo-Classical building when it was used as a Spanish army barracks and the Spanish in their colored uniforms were thought to resemble parrots. La Periquera translates to "parrot cage". The building was constructed in the 1860s as a high-end ballroom. However, during the Ten Years War that followed it was used as the barracks.

The Museum Provincial de Historia, which is housed in La Periquera, explores the history of Holguin and the surrounding area. On display are archeological finds from the Taino Indians, including the most famous find, the Hacha de Holguin. This is a stone axe head carved