Memorable Moments in the Valley of the Sugar Mills

Hello dear friends. Today I want to share with you my experience in the Valle de los Ingenios, it was a real trip to the past, a trip that took me back to a time when sugar mills dominated the island's economy and slavery was a daily reality.

The Valley of the Sugar Mills, located near Trinidad, is an area that was once the epicenter of sugar production in Cuba. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this valley was filled with sugar mills that thrived on the labor of thousands of African slaves. Sugar cane was the main crop, one of the most valuable products exported from Cuba to Europe.

Although the lookout was under repair, I was not disappointed at all. From there, I was able to get a panoramic view of the vast fields where the sugar cane that was worked by slaves would be and where a sugar mill is located; this I was able to observe through binoculars. The view was impressive, and it was easy to imagine how this valley had been the center of a sugar industry that greatly influenced the history of Cuba.

Continuing my journey through the Valley of the Sugar Mills, I arrived at the sugar mill Jesus de Nazareno de Buena Vista, which has been converted into a hotel. This sugar mill, with its well-preserved colonial architecture, is a living testimony to the way these old plantations have been transformed over time.

The Jesús of Nazareno of Good View sugar mill was an important sugar production center in the 19th century. I don't know much more about it, since unlike others that are museums and explain their history, this one tends to focus more on its function as a hotel.

However, it was the visit to the Hacienda Ingenio Guáimaro that really left a fascinating impression on me. This hacienda is imposing in its majesty and offers spectacular views of the valley. Inside, I was able to explore a small parish church that housed objects adorned with precious stones. This amazing display of wealth and religious devotion spoke of a time when sugar was synonymous with power and prosperity.

Hacienda Ingenio Guáimaro had a notable owner in its history, the Marquis of Guáimaro and Viscount of Palmarito: Don Mariano Borrell y Navarrete. He was an influential landowner and, through his property, was able to accumulate immense wealth thanks to sugar production. Walking through its halls and contemplating the antiques made me feel as if I were in the house of a colonial aristocrat. The Agabama River, a tributary through which slaves brought from Africa were brought to the Valle de los Ingenios, flows through its lands. The history of this hacienda and its first owner shed light on the complex social and economic dynamics of the time.

In addition to the main house, the estate also houses a small settlement of local people engaged in agriculture. Although some of them have a sort of museums in their houses with antique objects found by them. Here, I was able to explore a private collection of historical objects found in the area. These finds provided me with a unique insight into daily life in colonial times. From work tools to personal items, each item told a story of life in this valley centuries ago.

So, my visit to Valley of the Sugar Mills was a journey back in time that allowed me to delve into the rich history of the island. Through these experiences, I was able to appreciate the beauty and cultural heritage of this place and reflect on how the past lives on in the present.

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Translated and formatted with Hive Translator by @noakmilo.
Twitter @bluisdey