Flea Market
More than just a set of shops, El rastro is an open market and on Sundays thousands of locals go in search of a lost treasure at a bargain price.
Since the fifteenth century, near what is now Cascorro square are many thrift shops. Historically sellers of old and used clothes, abattoirs, and tanneries made it a place very active in trading.
In the seventeenth century people began to sell stolen products, along with food vendors, bakeries and hardware.
In the nineteenth century second-hand dealers, auctions, and antique shops appeared.
Sunday morning, between lots of tiny things, were things of merit, which attracted more and more people in search of bargain and opportunities.
The flea market is overlooked by a statue dedicated to Cascorro at the square of the same name. Eloy Gonzalo, popularly known as Cascorro, was a war hero of Cuba, enlisted in the Maria Cristina regiment at Cascorro in the province of Camagüey. Spanish troops were very committed to fighting the insurgent group of rebels from an elevated position which caused numerous victims among Spanish soldiers. Eloy Gonzalo volunteered to set fire to the position of the Cuban insurgents. Legend said that he asked to be tied with a rope so that if he fell, his body could be recovered. Armed with a rifle and a can of oil, he slid into insurgent positions, setting fire and returning to his position unscathed, but died a few days later.
