Trinidad Attractions

Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)

The picturesque emerald valley was once the centre of the sugar trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by tourists who are attracted by the history of slavery and the beauty of the valley. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking 144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower (1 CUC) for impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the valley are a popular way to see the sights from Trinidad.