Central Australia, Cuba

Discover the Central Australia building complex and visit its Command of the Armed Revolutionary Forces Museum

Central Australia, Cuba
© Robin Thom

Central Australia is a complex made up of several buildings that once housed a factory. It is important because of its location and coincidences rather than for its industrial production.

The factory is located on the road leading to the Ciénaga de Zapata Swamp, a must-visit on the way from Jagüey Grande to Playa Girón Beach, in the province of Matanzas. It is one of only two sugar factories which keep their original name (1863). Local historians trace the name Australia back to the name of the land where it was built and where it most likely belonged to an Australian immigrant or his descendants.

The factory is linked to three relevant events in the history of Cuba.

The Central Australia province was the first to free slaves in 1883 due to a political counterfeit scandal concerning the registration of slaves. This happened before the abolition of slavery was passed on the island 3 years later.

In 1867 a Slaves Register was established. Once this was finished, only those born subsequently would be included, so all unregistered slaves had to be set free. Administrators from the government falsified the registers using the names of dead slaves. When the scandal was discovered the authorities issued freedom documents for the slaves in Central Australia.

During the uprising of the Cuban Revolution, the Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro decided to go to the factory to stand up for the power of workers.

Due to its location, the facility was chosen to be the Revolutionary Armed Forces Headquarters during Commander-in-chief Fidel Castro’s presidency. The headquarters were responsible for coordinating actions taken against the attackers of the mercenary brigade trained by the US.

In its beginnings, in 1981, there was a Municipal Museum housing several events throughout local history, from aboriginals to present days. It had 9 rooms representing different periods. After being refurbished in 2000 it became the Revolutionary Armed Forces Headquarters Museum; in its 5 halls it exhibits rooms, documents and other items related to the events in April 1961.

More information:

Location:

Central Australia, Matanzas, Cuba.

Ticket price:

1 CUC
Opening hours:

Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Sundays from 8:00am to 12:00pm.

Interactive map:

Varadero

What to see:

Beaches:

Other nearby destinations:

Why "Trip Cuba"?

Trip Cuba is an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Cuba, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.
✓ To support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.

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