Cienfuegos Cemetery

Photo Feature by Caridad

HAVANA TIMES, August 5 — The Cienfuegos Cemetery takes its name from Tomas Acea in honor of one of the wealthiest families of this city in times past. They donated part of their fortune for this work, considered by experts to be among the finest of its type in Cuba.

Despite having been built for the poor, there is an abundance of monumental sculptures made of Carraran marble, from Italy. On my visit, I found it almost as beautiful as Colon Cemetery in Havana, and with the added advantage of possessing several beautiful pines tress —both large and small— that lend a certain mysterious mood to the place, declared a National Monument since 1978.

The main building, of classical design with thick columns and drawings of the time that go back to the 19th century, is of course the structure that draws the most attention. However, two sculptures, one dedicated to the Virgin of Charity (the patron saint of Cuba) and the other in honor of Jesus Christ, are always maintained with fresh flowers, which indicate the respect and affection of the Cienfuegos residents for these two mythical figures.

Guarded at the cemetery are the remains of those Cubans who died in the African wars. Likewise, growing there are royal palms, which possess a type of grace that almost mocks the solemn religious sculptures.

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