Page 191 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

TRINID AD  189

Palacio Brunet, built in the early 19th century and now housing the Museo Romántico
E Museo de Arqueología Museum was constructed inherited by Borrell’s daughter,
Guamuhaya in the 18th century and was the wife of Count Nicolás de la
Calle Simón Bolívar 457, e/ Fernando purchased in the 1800s by the Cruz y Brunet (hence the name
Hernández Echerri y Rubén Martínez wealthy Don Antonio Padrón, Palacio Brunet), in 1830.
Villena, Plaza Mayor. Tel (41) 993 420. who added a portico with brick The museum’s 14 rooms all
Open 9am–5pm Tue–Sat. & columns and Ionic capitals. face the courtyard gallery with
The building that is now the The Guamuhaya (the its elegant balustrade. The
home of the Archaeological native Indian name for the spacious living room has a
mountainous Escambray Carrara marble floor, a coffered
area) collection includes Pre- ceiling, Neo-Classical decora tion,
Columbian archaeological finds furniture made of precious wood,
as well as objects associated Sèvres vases and Bohemian
with the Spanish conquest and crystalware. There are also
slavery in Cuba, and stuffed English-made spittoons, which
animals, including the manjuari, reveal that the 19th-century
an ancient species of fish that aristocratic landowners were
still lives in the Zapata swamp. partial to smoking cigars. In the
In the courtyard is a bronze dining room the fan windows are
bust commemorating the a particularly attractive feature.
German geographer and Other rooms of interest are
Alexander von Humboldt naturalist Alexander von the countess’s bedroom, with a
Humboldt, who stayed here as bronze baldachin over the bed,
Humboldt in Cuba Padrón’s guest in 1801, during and the kitchen, which is still
his travels in the New World. decorated with its original
The German naturalist
Alexander von Humboldt painted earthenware tiles.
(1769–1859), the father of E Palacio Brunet (Museo
modern geography, made Romántico)
two trips to Cuba (1800–1801, Calle Hernández Echerri 52, esq.
1804), which are recorded in Simón Bolívar, Plaza Mayor. Tel (41)
a museum at Calle Oficios 252 994 363. Open 9am–5pm Tue–Sat &
every other Sun. & 8 Note: fee for
in Old Havana. The book that photography may apply.
followed, Political Essay on the
Island of Cuba, in which he Built in 1812 as the residence
described Cuba as “the land of of the wealthy Borrell family,
sugar and slaves”, illustrated its Palacio Brunet now contains
geography, rivers, population, the Museo Romántico. The
economy, government and decoration of the mansion
slave system. Because of its blends in well with the objects
abolitionist ideas the book on display, most of which once
was soon banned. belonged to Mariano Borrell, One of the elegant frescoes decorating
the family founder. They were Palacio Brunet

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