Artemisa

(Eng.)

The municipality is divided into the barrios of Cañas, Capellanías, Cayajabos, Dolores Uno, Dolores Dos, Guanímar, Mojanga, Pijirigua, Puerta de la Güira, Rural, Urbano and Virtudes.

The origin of the name of Artemisa is uncertain. It has been argued to have originated from the Greek goddess (Diana, in the Roman version) that bears the name or a wild flower also named Artemisia, abundant at the time.

Artemisa is widely known among Artemiseños by the name Jardin de Cuba (Garden of Cuba). Its ferric red soil is also an outstanding feature, and provides great fertility to the area, which produces banana, tobacco, sugar cane, and minor fruit. Due to the color of the soil, Artemisa is known as Villa Roja (Red Village).

Places of historical importance include the Cafetal Angerona (named after the goddess of silence, fertitility of the soil, and protector of Rome), which is currently in ruins. Its remains reminisce of a period of great abundance, business development, love affairs, and slavery. The cafetal belonged to the German entrepenoeur Cornelio Souchay who fell in love with the black Hatian, Úrsula Lambert. The couple lived their romance secret due to the taboos of the period.

The Hotel Campoamor, built by Asturiano Fernando Gonzalez-Campoamor has played an important role since it was finished in 1911. Many important figures visited the place, including Rita Longa, Ernest Heminguay, Juan Marinello, Gabriela Mistral, Ignacio Villa ”Bola de Nieve.” Centrales azucareros (Sugar mills) Pilar and Lavandero are landmarks of the city. Also, the mansion of sugar magnate, Julio Lobo.

Artemisa's Patron Saint is Saint Mark the Evangelist. The church of Artemisa is located in the Park (el parque). The building was renovated due to efforts made by Father Antonio Rodriguez Dias, who is currently in office, the hard work and cooperation of many Artemiseños, and generous monetary donations from German brethren.

Important personalities in the history of Cuba were born or lived in Artemisa. Father Guillermo González Arocha, born in Regla, but whose significant contribution to the independence of Cuba was carried out while a priest in Artemisa, is considered an adopted son of the city. This priest also founded a school and had the cemetery of the city built.

Artemisa belonged to Pinar del Rio until 1976.

Kilde: Wikipedia