Valle de los Ingenios and Trinidad itself are part of a UNESCO World Heritage site recognizing the influence of the prosperous sugar trade on Cuba. Visit the area to understand how important early slave labor was to Cuba’s economic development, prior to the nation’s abolition of slavery in 1886.
For a century, starting at the end of the 18th century, Valle de los Ingenios was one of the world’s largest sugar-producing regions. Slaves from Africa provided manual labor used to plant, harvest and process sugar cane, while plantation owners reaped wealth from this profitable crop. Appreciate the contrast between plantation houses and slave barracks as you tour this informal living museum with a window to a complex past.
The appropriately named Valley of the Sugar Mills had about 50 mills operating during peak production periods in the late 1700s and 1800s. More than 11,000 slaves worked the mills in 1827. Slavery declined and was eventually eliminated and the industry declined through the 1900s. Wander through the abandoned sites for a testimony of both the importance of slavery to sugar production and the indignities of forced labor on the individuals.
Several estates now offer restaurants and other attractions. Manaca Iznaga is a former sugar estate northeast of Trinidad. Climb to the top of its tower, once used by guards to monitor activities of slaves on the grounds. San Isidro de los Destiladeros, operating between the 1830s and 1890, has been excavated and partially renovated to provide a helpful view of how a sugar mill worked.
The 87-square-mile (225-square-kilometer) region is actually comprised of three adjacent and connected valleys: San Luis, Santa Rosa and Meyer. Rent a bike in Trinidad and pedal leisurely around the area to enjoy today’s peaceful scenery while you imagine the hectic activities of prior centuries as slaves worked the fields and trains carried valuable sugar off to cities and ports.
Valle de los Ingenios begins about 10 miles (16 kilometers) east of Trinidad. Bicycle here, drive a rental car, take a taxi or ride on the tourist train to enjoy the views of the pastoral green countryside.
