Palacio de Gobierno de Cienfuegos 13-2-20
We have headed east and south from Havana this morning to Cienfuegos which is on the southern coast of Cuba. Since 2005 the Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as the best extant example of early 19th century Spanish Enlightenment influence on urban planning.
Tomás Terry Theatre Cienfuegos 13-2-20
Cienfuegos has clearly experienced wealth in the past with the buildings and this magnificent theatre – Tomás Terry Theatre. No relation to the late British comedian – he was a wealthy 19th Century Venezuelan-Cuban industrialist Irish stock on his father’s side deriving his wealth initially from inevitably slavery and then sugar and banking leading to a claim that in 1886 at the time of his death he was the richest man in Cuba. The first performance in the theatre took place in 1890 so he did not live to see it.
Palacio de Valle Cienfuegos 13-2-20
Built in 1917 the Palacio de Valle is further evidence of the wealth of the local merchants – in this case Aciscio del Valle Blanco and this is now a National Monument functioning as a hotel and restaurant.
Waterfront Cienfuegos 13-2-20
We board a boat for effectively a trip around the Bahia de Cienfuegos during which we can see the local waterfront properties some of which are quite impressive. In the far distance the location of the Planta Nuclear de Juraguá is indicated – a Russian funded nuclear power station which produces a significant proportion of the island’s electricity.
This trip remains in the memory for reasons other than the sights. We were the first group to board and naturally we occupied seats along the rails. A second party joined the boat and there was much shuffling and juggling as they sought to insert themselves within the existing participants. It transpired that they were of a group of Jewish people and the impression they gave of themselves was not entirely positive. However such is life.
A slight disclaimer, this has been written over 6 years after the journey concerned so is very much based around the photographs taken on the day.