Nueva Gerona history

Foundation and First Mentions

The capital of the Isle of Youth, the city of Nueva Gerona, was officially founded on December 17, 1830. The construction was initiated by the Spanish Governor-General Francisco Dionisio Vives. The settlement was named in honour of the Spanish city of Girona (Gerona), famous for its heroic defence during the Napoleonic Wars, in which the governor himself participated. Before the official foundation, a small settlement existed on this site, but it was Vives' decree that launched the planned development.

Key Development Factors

The development of the city was determined by a successful combination of natural and strategic conditions:

• Geographical Location: The city was laid out in the valley of the navigable Las Casas River. It is protected on two sides by small mountain ranges—Sierra de Caballos and Sierra de Las Casas—which historically sheltered the port from strong Caribbean hurricanes.
• Strategic Necessity: The Spanish Crown sought to colonise the island to stop it from being used by pirates and corsairs, who had found a convenient refuge here for centuries.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the economy of the region, which is today part of the state of Cuba, relied on natural resources. A key role was played by marble mining in the surrounding mountains, as well as timber harvesting and agriculture. The architectural appearance of the city was initially formed in a classic colonial style with a rectangular grid of streets, spacious squares, and houses with internal courtyards designed to protect residents from the tropical heat.

Timeline of Events

• 1494: Christopher Columbus discovers the island during his second expedition to the shores of the New World, naming it La Evangelista.
• 1830: By decree of the Spanish governor, the city of Nueva Gerona is officially founded, becoming the administrative centre of the territory.
• 1870: The future national hero, whose legacy is the pride of Cuba, José Martí, spends several months in exile at the El Abra estate near the city.
• 1925: The Hay-Quesada Treaty is ratified, finally securing the affiliation of the city and island to the republic, putting an end to territorial disputes.
• 1926: Construction begins on the massive "Presidio Modelo" prison complex, the architecture of which was copied from the American Joliet Prison.
• 1953: Participants in the assault on the Moncada Barracks, led by Fidel Castro, are imprisoned in the cells of "Presidio Modelo".
• 1955: As a result of a general amnesty, political prisoners are released from prison, after which they leave the island.
• 1978: The new name of the island—Juventud (Isle of Youth)—is solemnly proclaimed in the city, reflecting the development of international youth programmes in the region.
• 1996: The historic city centre, with its characteristic houses featuring columns and tiled roofs, is declared a National Monument.
• 2008: The city's infrastructure suffers serious damage from the passage of powerful hurricanes "Gustav" and "Ike", requiring large-scale reconstruction.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of the city's formation is inextricably linked to its geographical location and shifting economic priorities. Nueva Gerona has gone from a small colonial settlement to an administrative centre with a unique architectural and social appearance. The following key milestones highlight the city's current state:

• Implementation of Regular Planning (1830s): From the moment of its foundation, the city was built according to a strict scheme with straight streets oriented to the cardinal points. An important urban planning decision was the construction of houses with wide porticoes and columns creating shade for pedestrians—this characteristic feature of the historic centre has survived to this day.
• Rise of the Marble Industry: The discovery and development of rich marble deposits in the neighbouring Sierra de Caballos mountains turned the city into an industrial hub. The extraction and processing of this valuable stone became the basis of the local economy and an important export item developed by Cuba.
• Creation of "Presidio Modelo" Infrastructure (1920–1930s): The construction of the massive complex required significant resources and labour, which stimulated population growth. For a long time, the facility functioned as a large economic mechanism influencing employment in the region until it was repurposed into a museum and educational centre.
• Educational Urbanisation (1970s): The implementation of a project to create a network of boarding schools in the countryside around the city led to a sharp increase in the population due to students and teachers. This turned the quiet city into a lively youth centre and required the expansion of the service sector.
• Obtaining Special Status (1976): Granting the city the status of the capital of a Special Municipality ensured direct administrative and budgetary links with the central government, bypassing the provincial level, which accelerated the development of urban infrastructure.
• Modernisation of the Sea Gateway: The reconstruction of the port at the mouth of the Las Casas River and the establishment of regular ferry services to the island of Cuba became critical for the economy, ensuring a stable flow of cargo and passengers.
• Post-Hurricane Reconstruction (since 2008): After the passage of powerful tropical cyclones, the city underwent a large-scale phase of housing renewal. New construction standards were introduced, and engineering networks were modernised to increase the resilience of the urban environment to natural elements.

Urban Planning Features and Layout

The administrative centre of the island, Nueva Gerona, represents a classic example of 19th-century Spanish colonial urban planning. The city was designed according to a strict regular scheme (Hippodamian grid), oriented to the cardinal points, which ensured natural ventilation of the streets. The main axis of development is Calle 39 (formerly Calle Real), around which public life is concentrated.

A unique feature of the urban landscape is the continuous covered galleries—"portales"—stretching along the facades of buildings. These architectural elements, supported by massive columns, not only unite scattered structures into a single ensemble but also perform an important utilitarian function, protecting pedestrians from the tropical sun and heavy rains.

Architectural Styles and Historical Eras

The city's buildings reflect the changing economic and social priorities of the region, where restraint and functionality dominate.

• Colonial Neoclassicism (mid — late 19th century): The main style of the historic core. Buildings of this era are distinguished by high ceilings, large door and window openings with wooden shutters, and tiled roofs. The facade decor is modest, with an emphasis on proportions and the rhythm of colonnades.
• Eclecticism (early 20th century): During the formation of the republic, elements of foreign styles penetrated architecture. Buildings appeared combining traditional layouts with decorative elements borrowed from American and European architecture of that time.
• Industrial Functionalism (1920–1930s): A vivid example is the "Presidio Modelo" complex. Its "panopticon" style architecture with circular rotunda buildings was an advanced engineering solution of its time, focused on total control and efficiency.
• Modernism and Standard Housing (second half of the 20th century): In the post-revolutionary period, when Cuba was implementing large-scale educational programmes, the city grew with micro-districts of standard concrete structures. The boarding school style (ESBEC)—strict rectangular volumes of prefabricated reinforced concrete with ribbon glazing—became established in the surrounding areas.

Landmark Structures

The architectural appearance of the city is formed by several key objects that have become its hallmarks:

• Church of Nuestra Señora de los Dolores: A Catholic temple in the colonial style, located in Parque Central. Its architecture stands out for the simplicity of its lines and harmonious proportions.
• Former Ayuntamiento Building (City Hall): Today, the Municipal Museum is located here. The building with its characteristic portico is an example of administrative architecture from the early 20th century.
• Colonnades of Calle Martí: This is not a separate building, but a complete architectural complex formed by the facades of residential and commercial houses, giving the city a recognisable and cosy appearance.

Famous Personalities and Historical Figures

The history of this place is inextricably linked with the destinies of people whose names are known far beyond the region. From independence fighters to modern artists, Nueva Gerona has become an important milestone in the biographies of many outstanding persons who left a mark on world culture and politics.

• José Martí (1853–1895)
  Role: National hero, poet, philosopher.
  In 1870, the young Martí served political exile at the El Abra estate, located in the vicinity of the city. Here he recovered his health after hard labour before deportation to Spain. Today, a museum is open in this house, visited by tourists coming to the island of Cuba to honour the memory of the thinker.
• Fidel Castro (1926–2016)
  Role: Leader of the Cuban Revolution, statesman.
  Spent about two years (1953–1955) imprisoned in the "Presidio Modelo" prison, located near the city limits. It was within the walls of this correctional institution that he finally formulated the programme of his movement and edited the famous speech "History Will Absolve Me".
• Evangelina Cossío (1877–1970)
  Role: Participant in the independence movement.
  Known as the "Cuban Joan of Arc", she was imprisoned in the local jail for rebelling against colonial authorities. Her daring escape in 1897, organised with the help of an American journalist, became an international sensation of that time.
• Jesús Montané Oropesa (1923–1999)
  Role: Revolutionary, politician.
  A native of these places who became a prominent political figure. He took an active part in key events of the mid-20th century, including the assault on the Moncada Barracks and the expedition on the yacht "Granma", remaining closely connected to the history of his homeland.
• Alexis Leyva Machado, known as "Kcho" (born 1970)
  Role: Contemporary artist and sculptor.
  Born and raised here. He is one of the country's most internationally recognised contemporary artists. His installations and sculptures, often using images of boats, oars, and the sea, are deeply rooted in island identity and are exhibited in leading galleries around the planet.
• Michel Enríquez (born 1979)
  Role: Athlete, baseball player.
  A local native who became a legend of national baseball. As an Olympic champion and long-time captain of the local team, he set several league records and is considered the main sporting pride of the municipality.