This
island, the largest of the Canarreos archipelago, was discovered
by Admiral Christopher Columbus in 1494. During several centuries
served as a haven and operation base for pirates and
smugglers.
It has been called indistinctly treasure island, parrot island,
island of the deported, and until 1975 it was called Isle of Pines.
From that year on, it has been called Isle of Youth as a recognition
to thousands of young people that have lived in the island. Its
main city, Nueva Gerona, was founded in 1830.
Two places intimately related to our history are located in this
island. One of them is the ranch El Abra, declared national monument,
which contains personal objects belonging to José Martí
and where one can know details of his stay in that place. The other
is the Presidio Modelo, a former penitentiary
facility that is only of its kind in Latin America and which exhibits
the characteristics of the jail system from the 20's to the beginnings
of the revolutionary struggles of the 50's. There, several independence
fighters suffered imprisonment, among which Fidel Castro and other
young people that attacked the Moncada Garrison in 1953. The political
imprisonment of the revolutionary leader and his followers, despite
its punishing character, served to strengthen their revolutionary
conscience and their conviction that armed fight was the only way
to attain victory. From his cell, Fidel continued his guiding of
the rest of the fighters, free or imprisoned, and of all of the
Cuban people.
and
smugglers.
penitentiary
facility that is only of its kind in Latin America and which exhibits
the characteristics of the jail system from the 20's to the beginnings
of the revolutionary struggles of the 50's. There, several independence
fighters suffered imprisonment, among which Fidel Castro and other
young people that attacked the Moncada Garrison in 1953. The political
imprisonment of the revolutionary leader and his followers, despite
its punishing character, served to strengthen their revolutionary
conscience and their conviction that armed fight was the only way
to attain victory. From his cell, Fidel continued his guiding of
the rest of the fighters, free or imprisoned, and of all of the
Cuban people.
