Central Camilo Cienfuegos

Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces


Standing disused on a hilltop like a huge rusting iron skeleton, this former sugar mill, 5km south of Santa Cruz del Norte, was one of Cuba’s largest and a testimony to the country’s previous production clout. Opened in 1916, it once belonged to the Philadelphia-based Hershey Chocolate Company, which used the sugar to sweeten its world-famous chocolate. The Hershey Electric Railway used to transport produce and workers between Havana, Matanzas and the small town that grew up around the mill.

The mill was closed in July 2002; the train technically still runs (offering the best views of the rusting factory), but was roto (broken) at last visit.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Artemisa & Mayabeque Provinces attractions

1. Jardines de Hershey

0.9 MILES

Once lush – now largely overgrown – gardens formerly owned by the famous American chocolate tycoon Milton Hershey who ran the nearby sugar mill. There's…

2. Parque Escaleras de Jaruco

9.05 MILES

This wild park, 6km west of Jaruco via hushed unmarked lanes, is a protected area featuring forests, caves and strangely shaped limestone cliffs. Havana…

3. Puente de Bacunayagua

16.62 MILES

Marking the border between Havana and Matanzas provinces, this is Cuba’s longest (314m) and highest (103m) bridge. Begun in 1957 and finally opened by…

5. Alamar

21.49 MILES

East across the river from Cojímar is a large housing estate of prefabricated apartment blocks built from 1971 by micro brigadas (small armies of workers…

6. Torreón de Cojímar

22.64 MILES

Overlooking Cojímar's harbor is an old Spanish fort dating from 1649, a twin of the Torreón de la Chorrera in Vedado. It was the first fortification taken…

7. Iglesia de Monserrate

22.97 MILES

For a mappable view of mildewed Matanzas on one side and the broccoli-green Valle de Yumurí on the other, climb 1.5km northeast of the center up Calle 306…

8. Museo Hemingway

22.99 MILES

In 1940 American novelist Ernest Hemingway bought the Finca la Vigía, a villa on a hill in San Francisco de Paula, 15km southeast of Havana, where he…