Ok so this is pull from my vault and realise not in my blog yet so here are new pictures to the blog, older of my nostalgic Güira de Melena, This is a post from faded memories but still in my heart as if you have read my blog which is my life’s history,you would know this is where I made my mind to leave Cuba with my Mother. Therefore, let me tell you a bit on this is Güira de Melena, near Havana !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
A place dear to me in my infancy that had not mentioned before but now with a picture to follow the town of Güira de Melena located in former province of Havana today in the new province of Artemisa, It lies about 20 miles (32 km) south of Havana. Until the end of 2010, it belonged to the former province of Havana. It is bordered by Quivicán, San Antonio de los Baños, Alquízar, and by the Gulf of Batabanó. It has an interesting ,San José Parish Church,
It was a sad story for me, where I did force child labor work on what was called Escuela al Campo, doing agriculture work,(see pic) and the world still looks the other way.This was a communist campaign to bring all hands to the fields and improve the production of all products, a huge error that caused many sad stories on families and made decisions for many to leave the island nation, I left shortly thereafter with my dear late mom Gladys to Madrid to then join my dear late Dad Elio in NJ USA, and freedom!(see posts),
A bit of history I like tell us that the town was founded in 1779 by the Marquis Càrdenas de Monte Hermoso at which time some of its dwellings were built, along with a church constructed of wooden planks and palm thatch or guano. In 1799, the church in Güira became an auxiliary chapel to the one in Quivicán, suggesting that the founding of what would become the town likely took place between 1797 and 1799. In 1806, the church was rebuilt using masonry and tile. In 1840, a cemetery with an attached chapel—was constructed through contributions from local residents. On September 23, 1878, the area was granted the status of a town, and the first town council was established on January 1, 1879. The sugar industry flourished; by 1840, there were 19 sugar mills, with the sugar produced being shipped toward San Antonio de los Baños and Bejucal. During the War of Independance of 1895, several military engagements took place in this territory. On January 1, 1896, the invasion force heading toward Havana arrived via the Nueva Paz area. On the 4th, the invasion column under the command of Generalísimo Máximo Gómez and Lieutenant General Antonio Maceo reached Güira. At 14h15 (2:15 p.m.), the first shots were fired, and a fierce battle immediately ensued. This was a highly reactionary and pro-royalist locality, home to many wealthy Spanish merchants. Following a fierce clash, victory favored the mambises ( as were called the Cuban independence fighters), who managed to secure weapons, ammunition, clothing, and medicine. On July 1, 1900, the first municipal council was established through popular election. In Güira de Melena, one of the most significant events was the founding of the Communist Party within the town on November 29, 1933, at a house located on Maceo Street, between Cuba and Montofro streets. The 26th of July Movement (M-26-7) was established in the town on August 25, 1955, at 25 Cuba Street, the residence of Juan Martínez. In support of the landing of the yacht Granma, the town carried out several actions, as well as participating in the assault on the Presidential Palace on March 13, 1957.
Again, this is a memorable lane post and no webpages. Hope you enjoy with me these wonderful places of our lives always remembered as much as possible as it is 56 years that I left it! ,and never back here. As said , the time passes by and all we have is blurred memories of always. A time, a place, a dot in my world map, that is in another world. Again, hope you enjoy this personal post on this is Güira de Melena, near Havana !! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
