Famous vega from Pinar del Río, Hoyo de Monterrey, to be Restored

[El Presidente]

The history and the patrimonial places of the vega Hoyo de Monterrey will be rescued, the traditional cultivation that represents the Island since ancestral times. A project, supported by the university headquarters and several local institutions, will return protagonism to that country place, pride of the inhabitants of San Juan y Martínez, well-known internationally as the "Meca of the tobacco."

In the initial phase a mirador will be erected and then the colonial large house will be reconstructed, of creole tiles and vitrales (colored glass), where the old owners of the place lived.

The former residence will become a museum dedicated to preserve the relics of the past, explained Eladio Joaquín León, coordinator of the program.

He commented that the property of tall fields and centennial facade will also welcome a feast square, to venerate the musical and dancing traditions of the locality, in the Cuban western end.

The new design includes, also, a stable, a warehouse, shoppings and other open spaces that will be scenario of scientific journeys, meetings and craft exhibitions, he added.

The visitors will be able to ride through the plantations and the houses where the leaves cultivated in the vega are stored.

Among the priorities of the initiative it stands out the development of an agrotechnological culture that allows to conserve the quality of the terrains in that place, damaged years ago by the flood of the river that surrounds it.

The floods (stopped with the construction of a reservoir) caused wastage in the crops, although the zeal of the peasants could erase the sequels of the natural adversities .

Acquired in 1860 by the Catalan José Gener Batet, the property produces leaves used since then to roll cigars excellent for its aroma, texture and color.

Baptized with the name of Hoyo de Monterrey, the desirable cigars gave life to one of the first brands commercialized for the Island, first in the world market.

The wall and the cover of the tobacco emporium, are considered of a high patrimonial value because next to the tower of the church, they were the unique survivors of the fire that devoured the town in 1896 .

To rescue the vega and its history is a yearning of San Juan Town, for that reason investigators, scientists, peasants and students of the municipal university, contribute with that zeal, León underlined

[jfury76]

These types of historic preservation projects should not be overlooked. Thanks for posting this, Rob. I would like to see the results of their efforts some day.

[anacostiakat]

[tigger]

Erasing the sequels of the natural adversities is something I began fiercely striving for while I was still in the cradle. Nothing is more important to me to this day.

Thanks, Rob, as ever, for the information and insights you provide. Great stuff!