Sights in Nueva Gerona
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Museo de Historia Natural
Want to feast your eyes on the natural history, geology and archaeology of the island, of Cuba, and of Latin America generally? Even if the answer's 'hmm…,' it's worth checking out this bright and friendly (if not mind-blowing) museum. There used to be a planetarium here, but questions about reopening this were invariably met with sighs and shakes of the head from staff. It's just before the distinctive tower of the Archivo Histórico on the Hotel Colony road.
reviewed
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A
Museo Municipal
In the former Casa de Gobierno (1853), the Museo Municipal houses a small historical collection that combines assorted pirate tidbits with the usual bones and birds.
reviewed
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B
Nuestra Señora de los Dolores
On the northwest side of Parque Central, this dinky, Mexican colonial-style church was built in 1926, after the original was destroyed by a hurricane. In 1957 the parish priest, Guillermo Sardiñas, left Nueva Gerona to join Fidel Castro in the Sierra Maestra, the only Cuban priest to do so.
reviewed
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C
El Pinero
Two blocks east of Parque Central, you'll see a huge black-and-white ferry set up as a memorial next to the river. This is El Pinero, the original boat used to transport passengers between La Isla and the main island. On May 15, 1955, Fidel and Raul Castro, along with the other prisoners released from Moncada, returned to the main island on this vessel.
reviewed
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D
Museo de la Lucha Clandestina
This former museum was recently flattened by a cyclone; rebuilding work when we visited looked very far from completion. A pity: this was formerly stuffed with fascinating Revolutionary artifacts, including reams of letters written by a then-imprisoned Castro.
reviewed
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E
Museo Finca el Abra
The teenage José Martí arrived at Finca el Abra on October 17, 1870, to spend nine weeks of exile on this farm, prior to his deportation to Spain. Legend has it that the revolutionary's mother forged the shackles he wore here into a ring, which Martí wore to his death. The old hacienda is directly below the Sierra de las Casas, and it's worth coming as much for the surroundings as for the museum. Cuban oaks and eucalyptus trees line the access road, and a huge ceiba tree stands next to the museum. The adjacent house is still occupied by descendents of Giuseppe Girondella, who hosted Martí here.
This museum is 3km southwest of Nueva Gerona, off the road to La Demajagua…
reviewed
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F
Planetario y Museo de Historia Natural
Astronomers and botanists needn’t get too excited about the Planetario y Museo de Historia Natural. This two-in-one museum/planetarium showcases the natural history, geology and archaeology of the island. There’s a replica of the Cueva Punta del Este cave paintings here if you can’t make it out there and an often out-of-order telescope. Ask a guard and you might get lucky.
reviewed