[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”||58px|||” custom_padding_tablet=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_padding_tablet=”10px||0px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”10px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”77px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”auto” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”810px” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The ingenios<\/em> were colonial estates \u2014 mostly owned by Spaniards or their descendants \u2014 where sugarcane was milled and processed into sugar or rum. In 1860, there were 1,365 ingenios<\/em> in Cuba, and every single one operated using enslaved labour. The sugar they produced accounted for 82% of Cuba\u2019s exports. <\/p>\n Some Catalan owners of sugarcane plantations worked using enslaved labour included Sebasti\u00e0 Plaja Vidal, Joan Anglada Carreras, Joan Forgas Bay\u00f3, and Jeroni Rabassa in Puerto Rico; and in Cuba, Isidre Sicart Soler, Josep Carb\u00f3 Martinell, the brothers Pau Llu\u00eds and Tom\u00e0s Ribalta Serra, and Joaquim F\u00e0bregas, among others. Other slave-owning landowners who lived in Barcelona included Josep P. Taltavull Garcia (born in Ma\u00f3), Agust\u00edn Goytisolo Lezarzaburu (born in Lekeitio), and the brothers Antonio and Claudio L\u00f3pez L\u00f3pez (born in Comillas). <\/p>\n The system of enslaved labour gave rise to a society in which the owners of the ingenios<\/em> lived in extreme opulence, while the enslaved people survived in misery \u2014 with no rights, and forced to dedicate their lives entirely to production.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”34px||100px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”0px||30px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”80%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card_carousel hide_title=”on” enable_lightbox=”on” lightbox_title_and_caption_style=”below_image” cards_per_slide=”2″ space_between_slides=”75px” autoplay=”off” show_arrow=”on” previous_slide_arrow=”D||divi||400″ next_slide_arrow=”E||divi||400″ arrows_position=”outside” show_control_dot=”on” arrows_custom_padding=”5px||5px||true|true” arrow_font_size=”32px” arrow_color=”#000000″ icon_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” slider_container_custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” cards_per_slide_tablet=”1″ cards_per_slide_phone=”1″ cards_per_slide_last_edited=”on|phone” arrows_position_tablet=”outside” arrows_position_phone=”top_center” arrows_position_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1-carta-general-ocea-atlantic.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n General chart of the southern Atlantic Ocean from 1810<\/p>\n Engraved by Aaron Arrowsmith, drawn by Juan Jos\u00e9 Mart\u00ednez de Espinosa, engineer in the Spanish navy, and published by the Hydrographic Office.<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/2-carta-esferica.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Spherical chart comprising part of the Antilles islands, Puerto Rico, Santo Domingo, Jamaica and Cuba with adjacent sandbanks and channels (1799).<\/p>\n Published by the Hydrographic Office.<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3-vista-habana.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Vue g\u00e9n\u00e9rale de la Havane \/ Vista general de la Habana Lithograph by Isidore-Laurent D\u00e9roy, published by Louis Auguste Turgis (1818\u20131894).<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4-cienfuegos.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Isla de Cuba Pintoresca. Cienfuegos. Vista General desde punta de Revienta \u2013 cordeles \/ General View of Cienfuegos \/ Vue g\u00e9n\u00e9rale de Cienfuegos. <\/em><\/p>\n Lithograph drawn by Leonardo Bara\u00f1ano and engraved by \u00c9douard Laplante, both authors of the work Isla de Cuba Pintoresca (1856)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/5-vista-bahia.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n C\u00e1rdenas. Vista General tomada desde la Bah\u00eda. <\/em><\/p>\n Lithograph drawn by Leonardo Bara\u00f1ano and engraved by \u00c9douard Laplante, both authors of the work Isla de Cuba Pintoresca (1856)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/6-puerto-habana.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Historia de la Marina Real Espa\u00f1ola. Vista del puerto de la Habana en la Isla de Cuba, la Reina de las Antillas, cuya important\u00edsima ciudad fue tomada por los ingleses despu\u00e9s de la heroica defensa del castillo del Morro, con que inmortaliz\u00f3 su nombre D. Luis de Velasco, gobernador de aquel fuerte. (a\u00f1o 1762) Lithograph by J.J. Mart\u00ednez based on a drawing by Vicente Urrabieta y Ortiz (ca. 1854)<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7-casa-calderas.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Casa de calderas del ingenio San Mart\u00edn, propiedad de la Sra. D\u00f1a. Francisca Pedroso Herrera Drawn and lithographed by \u00c9douard Laplante. Lithograph by L. Marquier. <\/p>\n Illustration from the work Los ingenios: colecci\u00f3n de vistas de los principales ingenios de sucre de la isla de Cuba (The sugar mills: collection of views of the main sugar mills on the island of Cuba), by Justo G. Cantero (Havana, 1857).<\/p>\n Private collection of Joan Alemany.<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][dipl_image_card_carousel_item image=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/8-casa-calderas-victoria.jpg” content_custom_padding=”27px|0px|0px|0px|false|true” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” content_font_size=”20px” content_line_height=”1.3em” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” content_font_size_tablet=”20px” content_font_size_phone=”18px” content_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Casa de calderas del ingenio Victoria, propiedad de Don Sim\u00f3n P\u00e9rez de Teran Drawn and lithographed by \u00c9douard Laplante. Lithograph by L. Marquier. <\/p>\n Illustration from the work Los ingenios: colecci\u00f3n de vistas de los principales ingenios de sucre de la isla de Cuba (The sugar mills: collection of views of the main sugar mills on the island of Cuba), by Justo G. Cantero (Havana, 1857).<\/p>\n Private collection of Joan Alemany.<\/p>\n [\/dipl_image_card_carousel_item][\/dipl_image_card_carousel][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(246,245,232,0.45)” custom_padding=”113px||165px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”30px||80px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”20px||70px||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”1250px” max_width_tablet=”” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|auto|80px|auto||” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|20px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||10px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”right” header_2_font_size=”47px” header_2_text_align_tablet=”center” header_2_text_align_phone=”center” header_2_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Owned by the Arrieta family, it was founded in 1838 near Matanzas. It was one of the most important of its time. <\/p>\n In the middle of the 19th century, Cuba was the main sugar producer in the world and throughout the island there was a proliferation of the so-called \u2018ingenios<\/em>\u2019, colonial haciendas that operated with slave labour, destined for the production of sugar, honey and sugar cane brandy. They integrated agricultural spaces, industrial buildings, barracks and complementary service buildings. <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”90%” width_phone=”90%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”90%” max_width_phone=”90%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” mix_blend_mode=”multiply” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/maqueta-ingenio-flor-de-cuba.png” alt=”Ingenio Flor de Cuba” title_text=”maqueta-ingenio-flor-de-cuba” show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||137px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||35px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” filter_sepia=”10%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|1px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”off|desktop” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” mix_blend_mode=”multiply” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#1d1d1b” border_width_left_tablet=”0px” border_width_left_phone=”0px” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||-13px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||-14px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||14px|false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ border_color_left=”#1d1d1b” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” sticky_enabled=”0″ custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false”]<\/p>\n 1. Ingenio house<\/strong> 2. Boiler house<\/strong> 3. Purging houses<\/strong> 4. Clay house<\/strong> 5. Barracks<\/strong> 6. Pig pen<\/strong> 7. Oxen pen<\/strong> 8. Grove<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” mix_blend_mode=”multiply” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#1d1d1b” border_width_left_tablet=”0px” border_width_left_phone=”0px” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” text_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||10px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||5px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|||14px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_color_left=”#1d1d1b” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 9. Bagasse house<\/strong> 10. Main house<\/strong> 11. Cooker<\/strong> 12. Cavalry<\/strong><\/p>\n 13. Carpentry<\/strong><\/p>\n 14. Garden<\/strong><\/p>\n 15. Vegetable garden<\/strong> 16. Alembic distillery<\/strong> 17. Alembic tank warehouse<\/strong><\/p>\n 18. Alembic tank storage<\/strong><\/p>\n 19. Dam<\/strong><\/p>\n 20. New oxen pen<\/strong><\/p>\n 21. Orange tree grove <\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” mix_blend_mode=”multiply” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/planta-ingenio-flor-de-cuba.jpg” alt=”Ingenio Flor de Cuba” title_text=”planta-ingenio-flor-de-cuba” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” filter_sepia=”10%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f5efd7″ custom_padding=”168px||40px||false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”70px||30px||false|false” custom_padding_phone=”53px||||false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|75px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|5px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||2px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_font_size=”47px” header_2_letter_spacing=”-0.5px” custom_margin=”||12px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||25px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||21px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_text_align_tablet=”center” header_2_text_align_phone=”center” header_2_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”47px” header_2_font_size_phone=”47px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.4em” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n The work process began with the cultivation of sugar cane, which was usually harvested manually with machetes and sickles. Once cut, the cane was transported to the mill, which could be powered by draught animals or, in more modern facilities, by hydraulic energy. The first juice from the cane, known as guarapo<\/em>, was extracted and had to be refined several times to obtain other derivative products. <\/p>\n The purification of this molasses is called clarification. The juice was poured into boilers, where it was heated to manually remove the foam and impurities accumulated on the surface of the liquid. When finished, it was transferred to tanks, where it was cooked and concentrated through evaporation. This task was a slow process and required a great deal of attention to prevent the product from burning.<\/p>\n Next came crystallization, with the juice poured into molds (paines), where it cooled and sugar crystals began to form. These were classified, air-dried, and manually packaged. <\/p>\n A portion of the guarapo could be left to ferment in the open air and then distilled in stills to obtain spirits.<\/p>\n Enslaved people carried out all these tasks, which were characterised by their harshness and the demands of intense physical effort in conditions of extreme heat and humidity. They worked 10-hour days, which during harvest time could stretch to 16 or even 20 hours, with a couple of breaks during the day. Their meals contained high-calorie foods to ensure they had the strength to do the work, but this unbalanced diet often affected their health. The average life expectancy of these people did not exceed 15 years once they arrived at the plantations. <\/p>\n Not all enslaved people had the same rights and duties; there was a hierarchy determined by factors such as personal characteristics, skills or even origin, which influenced the roles they were assigned. Those assigned to sugar cane cultivation\u2014the field slaves\u2014were the most repressed and controlled, and the least valued; on the other hand, those who had specialised skills in other aspects of sugar cane processing enjoyed somewhat more favourable conditions. At the top of this pyramid were the sugar master, the distillery master and the foreman, who enjoyed some small benefits, such as having their own hut, receiving a little more food or a small amount of sugar and rum when production was finished. <\/p>\n Faced with these conditions, the enslaved people never gave up and devised various ways to resist and boycott the system: acts of sabotage against production\u2014despite the strict surveillance and encouragement of denunciation by the owners of the mills\u2014and attempts at revolt never ceased.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/treballant-a-plantacions-3.jpg” alt=”People working on the plantations” title_text=”treballant-a-plantacions-3″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”29px||30px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”40px||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”40px||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Slaves working on a coffee plantation in the Para\u00edba Valley, Brazil.<\/p>\n Photograph by Marc Ferrez (1882)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/treballant-a-plantacions.jpg” alt=”People working on the plantations” title_text=”treballant-a-plantacions” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px|||” filter_hue_rotate=”5deg” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Sugar cane field, Cuba.<\/p>\n Photograph by unknown author from the late 19th century.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/treballant-a-plantacions-2.jpg” alt=”People working on the plantations” title_text=”treballant-a-plantacions-2″ align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px|||” filter_hue_rotate=”16deg” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||70px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n People working in a cotton field.<\/p>\n Photograph by unknown author from the late 19th century<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|auto|130px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”|auto|61px|auto|false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||41px||false|false” 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text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Whip<\/p>\n A leather weapon used to beat people or animals, commonly found on slave ships and sugar mills.<\/p>\n 19th century<\/p>\n Javier Aznar\u2019s private collection<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/grillons-1.jpg” alt=”Shackles” title_text=”grillons-1″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”30px||30px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-6px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”20px” text_line_height=”1.3em” header_3_font=”Alternate Gothic|||on|||||” header_3_font_size=”33px” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||12px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”||40px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||30px||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_font_size_tablet=”20px” text_font_size_phone=”18px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_letter_spacing_tablet=”” text_letter_spacing_phone=”” text_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_tablet=”1.3em” text_line_height_phone=”1.3em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_3_font_size_tablet=”33px” header_3_font_size_phone=”31px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Shackles<\/p>\n They were used to chain a person by the ankles to some fixed location and prevent free movement.<\/p>\n 19th century<\/p>\n MMB<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/grillons-2.jpg” alt=”Shackles” title_text=”grillons-2″ show_in_lightbox=”on” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||30px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _module_preset=”default” width=”90%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|tablet” max_width=”90%” max_width_tablet=”none” max_width_phone=”80%” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||55px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||45px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||25px||false|false” 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max_width_tablet=”141px” max_width_phone=”111px” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/anterior.png” title_text=”previous” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjIyIn19@” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/home.png” title_text=”home” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjEwIn19@” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/seguent.png” title_text=”next” url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjI2In19@” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.27.5″ _dynamic_attributes=”url” _module_preset=”default” height=”25px” height_tablet=”30px” height_phone=”25px” height_last_edited=”on|tablet” global_colors_info=”{}” filter_opacity__hover_enabled=”on|hover” filter_opacity__hover=”36%”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Spaniards\u2019 Big Business in CubaThe ingenios were colonial estates \u2014 mostly owned by Spaniards or their descendants \u2014 where sugarcane was milled and processed into sugar or rum. In 1860, there were 1,365 ingenios in Cuba, and every single one operated using enslaved labour. The sugar they produced accounted for 82% of Cuba\u2019s exports. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24383","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24383","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24383"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24383\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24790,"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24383\/revisions\/24790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exposicionsvirtuals.mmb.cat\/lainfamia\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
(General view of Havana)
<\/em><\/p>\n
(C\u00e1rdenas. General view taken from the bay)<\/p>\n
(History of the Spanish Royal Navy. View of the port of Havana on the island of Cuba, Queen of the Antilles, whose important city was taken by the English after the heroic defence of Morro Castle, immortalising the name of Luis de Velasco, governor of that fort. (1762)) <\/em><\/p>\n
(Boiler house at the San Mart\u00edn sugar mill, owned by Mrs Francisca Pedroso Herrera) <\/em><\/p>\n
(Boiler house of the Victoria sugar mill, owned by Don Sim\u00f3n P\u00e9rez de Teran)<\/em><\/p>\nIngenio<\/em> <\/span>Flor de Cuba<\/h2>\n
It housed the mill for grinding the sugar cane, from which two products were produced:
\u2022 Bagasse (bagazo): sugar cane chips
\u2022 The syrup (guarapo)<\/p>\n
Used for the clarification<\/strong> of syrup, made by evaporation in boilers<\/p>\n
Syrup was purged to separate the honeys – or molasses – from the sugar, either by draining or, later, by centrifuging<\/p>\n
The process ends with the crystallisation of sugar in moulds, first made of clay and then of metal<\/p>\n
It was the living quarters of the enslaved people. It consisted of a building with four wings, which made it possible to separate people according to sex. The barrack upper floor housed the hired staff, mainly of Chinese origin. The well and the communal kitchen were in the central courtyard <\/p>\n
They were bred to provide food<\/p>\n
They were used for agricultural work<\/p>\n
Used to store bagasse, needed as fuel<\/p>\n
It was the lodging of the owners<\/p>\n
It was connected to the purging house<\/p>\n
Vegetables were produced for their own consumption<\/p>\n
Place where the machinery was used to convert molasses into distilled alcoholic beverage<\/p>\nLIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS IN THE SUGAR MILLS<\/h2>\n