Discovering history and science in the Guasch Palace

Hi friends of Pinmapple

Can you imagine walking through the same halls that were once trodden by important personalities of Pinar del Río society? And what if I told you that you could also learn about science and technology in the same place? Well, this is exactly what you will find at the Guasch Palace, now the Tranquilino Sandalio de Noda Museum of Sciences, located in Pinar del Río, Cuba.

Location

This unique building is located at an important intersection in the city of Pinar del Río, at Martí Street No. 202, at the corner of Comandante Pinares, very close to the main entrance to the city via the national highway.

A bit of history

This small palace was built by a young doctor, Dr. Francisco Guasch Ferrer (a gynecologist from Pinar del Río), with the help of two masons, between 1909 and 1914. He poured all his artistic creativity into this action, as all the molds of a large number of animal figures and reliefs were made by his own hands, using wooden molds. Thus, one of the first jewels of eclecticism in Cuba and in America was achieved.

After the Cuban Revolution, the palace was used for various functions, until in 2002, the Tranquilino Sandalio de Noda Museum of Sciences was inaugurated on the site, in honor of the distinguished Cuban scientist.

Architecture

As you enter the city from the national highway, it's impossible not to gaze upon this impressive architectural structure, as it ingeniously combines several construction trends.

Dr. Guasch employed all his financial resources and achieved a perfect harmony between the confusing eclecticism of the work, where Egyptian-style columns, a Hindu porch, an Arab ogee, and a Doric capital converge. The eminent scientist created dragons, hippocampi, and other confusing figures that intermingle, while the facade surprises with its attractive eclectic atmosphere.

Countless creatures from the animal kingdom adorn the spacious building. After it was converted into a museum, the courtyard was remodeled, resembling a Jurassic park.

The originality of its interior is even more striking due to the presence of glazed ceramic mosaics, which, despite being a hundred years old, still adorn some of the rooms in the building.

Something that caught my attention was the Gothic style in the towers that challenge the height, the Doric capital, the Ionic frieze, the Arab ogee, and the Hindu porch. The entire decoration of this palace is impressively eclectic.

The property is considered a "Local Monument" for its architectural value, since it constitutes one of the most representative examples of eclecticism in Cuba and the first building in Pinar del Río that used reinforced concrete in its construction.

My experience at the Guash Palace

This time my exploration was limited to the exterior areas of the palace since the museum is currently closed to the public, but I have had the opportunity to visit it at different times. I clarify that all the photos of the interior areas are from my personal archive from other years.

All the visits I have made to the Guasch Palace have been fascinating experiences, not only because of the architectural beauty of the place, but also because of the scientific pieces exhibited in the 8 rooms distributed as follows: 5 permanent rooms in phylogenetic order: Invertebrates, Fish, Amphibians and Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals; 1 permanent central room: Prehistoric Patio; and 2 transitory rooms: The Basement and Children's Room.

In each of the rooms, you can contemplate the objects and read the informative plaques, learning a lot about the most representative flora and fauna of Pinar del Rio.

But what attracts visitors to the museum the most is the interaction that is promoted with them. In several rooms, experiments and practical activities can be carried out to learn about the scientific principles behind various natural phenomena. In addition, the explanations are very didactic and easy to understand, even for those who do not have previous knowledge in science.

This institution is the reference center par excellence for Environmental Education in the province and, due to its architectural values, the most monumental building in the city.

Services Offered

Specialized services are provided on-site, such as:

Guided tour
Specialized visit
Consultation with specialists
Technical advice
Technical consultation with documentation
Rental of premises
Taxidermy service
Permission for photography and filming
Sales of publications
Video room
Environmental consulting

In addition, other community-interest services are provided, such as printing, photocopying, scanning, and laminating of documents, requesting certifications from the civil registry, requesting criminal records, etc. All this as a way of contributing to the sustainability of the place.

Recommendations for visitors

If you plan to visit the Guash Palace, I recommend that you reserve at least two hours to tour it calmly and enjoy all the exhibitions. Also, do not forget to bring a camera to capture the most special moments of your visit.

I also suggest that you inform yourself about the activities and workshops that will take place during your visit, so that you can plan your time and participate in those that interest you the most.

Finally, do not miss the opportunity to visit the prehistoric patio, especially if you are accompanied by children, as the sculptures of prehistoric animals always appeal to them.

In summary, the Guash Palace is an essential place for those who want to learn more about the history and science of Cuba. Its majestic architecture and its extensive collection of historical and scientific objects make this museum a unique place in the world. Don't miss it!

Did you like the post? I hope so. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may have. Thank you very much for your time.

Photographer	@ralbe
	Follow me: htpps://vero.co/ralbe All photos were taken with my iPhone 11 and edited in Photoshop. Historical data related to dates were obtained from public sources on the internet, such as Wikipedia and Ecured.

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