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Palacio de los Condes de Jaruco
This building called Palacio de los Condes de Jaruco was constructed in 1738 and faces Plaza Vieja.
Just past the huge original doors is a painting of how Plaza Vieja looked centuries ago and facing it on the opposite wall is this strange looking memorial which recalls the first ever Spanish military and scientific expedition to Cuba on the 2nd of August 1796.
This building represents the type of stately residence of the 18th century with high supports, a mezzanine and central patio with spacious portals around the floors. It’s one of the most valuable historically speaking. Regarding architectonics too, this was in fact, a blue print for the large colonial houses and is made of ‘rafas’, masonry, tiles and concrete which up close appears like coral.
This palacio of the Condes de Jaruco has a long history with slavery, sugar plantations and exportation and powerful families.
Originally, on this ground were houses made of mortar and tiled roofs thought to have dated to 1645 and belonged to Jose de Garro Bolivar who married Antonia de Aranda. After Jose’s death she married Gabriel Beltran de Santa Cruz.
In 1732 Gabriel decided to demolish the small houses and build a palace. He entrusted Diego de Salazar with the project. The mansion was completed in 1738 and Doña Antonia de Aranda bequeathed the villa to her son of the same name as her husband Gabriel, the first Count of San Juan de Jaruco – a title granted in 1768 by King Charles III for having founded the city of Jaruco.
After a period of abandonment in which it deteriorated structurally the palacio was completely restored in 1983 when the Plaza Vieja was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and within the building the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales was established. These days though the Genesis Art Gallery is located upstairs.
References
Pamphlet, Genesis Galleria de Arte: Palacio de los condes de Jaruco.
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