Manzanillo history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the coastal city of Manzanillo begins in the last quarter of the 18th century. Although fishing settlements and temporary trading posts existed in the bay of the Guacanayabo Gulf earlier, the official date of foundation is considered to be 1784. During this period, the systematic settlement of the territory and the formation of the urban structure began.

In 1833, the Spanish Crown, recognising the growing importance of the settlement, granted it the honorary title of "Royal Villa" (Villa Real). This event consolidated the city's administrative status and gave impetus to the construction of capital buildings and the development of infrastructure.

Key Development Factors

The transformation of a small settlement into a significant regional centre was driven by a combination of several factors:

• Geographical Location: A deep and protected bay created ideal conditions for establishing a port. This made the city the maritime gateway for the vast agricultural region of the Granma province on the island of Cuba.
• Trade and Commerce: In the early period of history, due to the strict monopoly of colonial authorities on trade, the port became a hub for the active exchange of goods with Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. This allowed local merchants to accumulate significant capital.
• Sugar Boom: The surrounding fertile plains were ideally suited for growing sugarcane. The construction of sugar mills in the vicinity turned the port into a key hub for the export of sugar and molasses.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The city's economy was mixed from the very beginning: fishing, shipbuilding, and the processing of agricultural products flourished here. Proximity to the sea also defined gastronomic traditions, where fish and seafood have always occupied a central place.

The cultural appearance was formed under the influence of immigrants from various countries. French influence, which arrived from neighbouring islands, was of particular importance. Thanks to this, the unique tradition of mechanical organs (órgano oriental) took root in the city, becoming a hallmark of local musical culture and public festivities.

Key Dates in the City's History

• 1784 — Official foundation of the settlement of Manzanillo on the shores of the Guacanayabo Gulf.
• 1819 — Opening of the seaport for free trade with other countries, which gave a powerful impulse to the economy.
• 1833 — Conferring of the honorary title "Royal Villa" to the city by decree of King Ferdinand VII.
• 1837 — Formation of the first city council (Ayuntamiento), consolidating the administrative status of the region.
• 1868 — At the nearby "La Demajagua" plantation, the call for freedom was sounded, marking the beginning of the Ten Years' War for independence.
• 1898 — Decisive naval battles of the Spanish–American War took place in the port's waters.
• 1911 — Commissioning of the railway line connecting the city with the interior of the island of Cuba.
• 1912 — Construction of the aqueduct and the beginning of the modernisation of urban infrastructure.
• 1924 — Grand opening of the Glorieta on the central square — a unique gazebo in the Moorish style, which became the main symbol of the city.
• 1948 — The high-profile assassination of trade union leader Jesús Menéndez at the local railway station.
• 1976 — Following administrative-territorial reform, the city became part of the new Granma province.
• 2002 — Large-scale restoration of the historic centre and the embankment (Malecon) to preserve cultural heritage.

Main Stages of Transformation

The development of the city proceeded through a series of economic upswings and cultural events that formed its unique appearance and significance for the region.

• Legalisation of Maritime Trade (1819). Opening the port to foreign vessels was a turning point in the economy. This decision transformed Manzanillo from a secluded settlement into the official export gateway of the region, stimulating the growth of the merchant class and urban development.
• Sugar Boom of the 19th Century. The construction of numerous sugar mills (ingenios) in the surrounding areas defined the agro-industrial vector of development. The export of sugar and molasses through the local terminal became the foundation of the city's financial prosperity for many years.
• Beginning of the Struggle for Independence (1868). Events at the nearby "La Demajagua" plantation forever changed the social landscape. The city acquired the status of a historical centre where the nation began to form, which became a crucial part of the residents' cultural identity.
• Arrival of the Railway (1911). Connecting to the railway network of the island of Cuba solved the problem of land isolation. This gave a powerful impulse to urban planning and simplified the transportation of goods from the depths of the province to the maritime berths.
• Architectural Renewal of the Centre (1924). The erection of the Glorieta in the main square marked the flourishing of urban architecture. This elegant structure in the Moorish style became not just a decoration, but the main visual symbol and centre of public life.
• Rooting of Musical Traditions. The spread of mechanical organs (órgano oriental) in the early 20th century created a unique cultural environment. This tradition turned city holidays into a distinctive folkloric phenomenon, distinguishing the city from other regions.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of the city of Manzanillo represents a picturesque mosaic reflecting its port past and periods of economic prosperity. The urban planning structure is based on the classic Spanish rectangular grid of streets, oriented towards the sea coast, which ensures natural ventilation by the sea breeze and opens up picturesque views of the bay.

Main Styles and Historical Eras

The appearance of the city was formed over several centuries, where each decade left its mark in stone and decor:

• Colonial Neoclassicism (19th Century): The dominant style of early capital construction. Buildings of this period are characterised by strict symmetry, high ceilings for protection against tropical heat, cosy inner courtyards, and extended colonnades creating saving shade on the pavements.
• Eclecticism (Early 20th Century): The era of the "sugar boom" brought wealth and a desire to stand out to the island of Cuba. The local bourgeoisie built mansions, mixing elements of the Renaissance and Art Nouveau, lavishly decorating facades with complex stucco moulding, balustrades, and decorative cornices.
• Neo-Moorish Style (1920s): A unique phenomenon for the region, most clearly manifested in the creation of the city's main symbol. This style added Eastern sophistication, complex geometric ornaments, and bright polychrome ceramics to the urban landscape.
• Art Deco and Modernism (Mid-20th Century): Later urban development introduced geometric rigour, vertical lines, and functionality, characteristic of public buildings, cinemas, and commercial structures of the pre-revolutionary period.

Iconic Buildings and Districts

The heart of the architectural ensemble is the historic centre around the central square, where the main attractions are concentrated:

• Glorieta de Manzanillo: An elegant gazebo in the centre of Céspedes Park, built in 1924. It is a genuine masterpiece with a clear influence of Mudejar art, reminiscent of elements of the Alhambra palaces in miniature.
• Parish Church of the Immaculate Conception: A majestic religious structure, the facade of which combines neoclassical features with elements of the Baroque, dominating the low-rise buildings of the centre.
• City Hall and Customs Building: Examples of administrative architecture emphasising the status of the city as an important commercial and political centre of the province in the past.

Famous Natives and Historical Figures

The history of the city of Manzanillo is inextricably linked with the names of people whose activities influenced not only the development of the region but also the fate of the entire island of Cuba. The local land has given the world talented musicians, poets, and key political figures.

• Carlos Manuel de Céspedes (1819–1874)
  Role: Lawyer, planter, leader of the liberation movement.
  Although born in Bayamo, his name is forever linked to the vicinity of the city. It was here, at the "La Demajagua" sugar plantation he owned, that he granted freedom to his slaves and initiated the struggle for the country's independence, earning the title "Father of the Homeland".
• Bartolomé Masó Márquez (1830–1907)
  Role: Major General, statesman.
  A native of the region who became one of the central figures in the wars for independence of the 19th century. He went from an ordinary participant in the uprising to the last President of the Republic in Arms (República en Armas).
• Carlos Puebla (1917–1989)
  Role: Singer, guitarist, and composer.
  The famous troubadour was born in this coastal city. He became famous throughout the world for his songs combining witty lyrics with traditional Cuban rhythms, becoming a classic of the "trova" musical style.
• Manuel Navarro Luna (1894–1966)
  Role: Poet and journalist.
  An outstanding man of letters whose life and work were closely intertwined with the city. He became one of the pioneers of avant-gardism in national poetry, and his poems often reflected the daily life and social moods of local residents.
• Blas Roca Calderío (1908–1987)
  Role: Politician, lawyer.
  A native of the city who became a prominent figure in the national political arena. He is known as one of the authors of the constitution and a long-time leader of the socialist movement, who began his career defending the rights of local workers.
• Francisco "Paquito" Rosales (1906–1958)
  Role: Mayor of the city, public figure.
  He went down in history as the first communist mayor elected democratically (in 1940). His administration was remembered for honesty, the fight against corruption, and a significant contribution to improving urban infrastructure, including water supply.