CUBAN TRANSITIONS

In the time before the Spanish-American War, King Sugar ruled the land in Cuba. One of the most famous and important sites for sugar production in Cuba was in the Valley of the Sugar Mills (Valle de los Ingenios) located 12 kilometers outside the beautiful city of Trinidad near the southern coast of central Cuba. In its heyday during the 19th century this area boasted the heaviest sugar production on the island, with over 50 mills in operation and over 30,000 slaves working in production and harvesting of the profitable crop.

Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the majority of the structures dotting the beautiful landscape now lay in ruins. However, certain sites remain intact, like the Manaca Iznaga plantation. The original owner of this plantation, Alejo Maria Iznaga y Borrell was one of the wealthiest plantation owners on the island, as exemplified by his house and the tower he built, both of which are kept well maintained today.

The house is now home to a beautiful restaurant with delicious cafe and live music.

The tower remains a tourist destination. At 147 feet tall, at one time the Iznaga Tower was the tallest structure in Cuba. It functioned as a watch tower, while the bell that was once stationed at the very top signaled the start and end of the work day for the slaves, as well as prayer time in the morning, afternoon, and evening. Legend has it that the Iznago brothers, Alejo and Pedro, were both in love with the same woman. As a way to determine who would marry her, the two brothers entered a contest to build a structure whose length in meters would determine the winner. Alejo built the 45 meters tall tower, while Pedro dug a 28 meter deep well, both of which continue to be used today. In the end, despite Alejo’s decisive victory, neither brother got the girl.

At the time of its construction in 1816, the tower symbolized Iznaga’s wealth and power as well as the flourishing success of sugar production at the time. Now, it remains as a symbol of Cuba’s once booming economy during colonial Spanish rule.

Sources:

“World Heritage List: Trinidad and the Valle de los Ingenios”. UNESCO. 1997. Retrieved 29 April 2012.  http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/460