Originating in the 19th century, the building housing the Oscar Fernández Morera Academy of Fine Arts in Trinidad began its life as the Cuartel de Dragones, a military fortification of notable historical importance. Initially constructed with striking architectural features, it transitioned into a railway station in 1919 before being repurposed as an art academy in 1988, marking a new chapter of artistic vibrancy and innovation.
However, the current condition of this once-majestic structure starkly contrasts with its illustrious history. Presently, the building is in a severe state of decay, characterized by cracked walls, collapsed roofs, unprotected windows, and overgrown vegetation encroaching on the former creative spaces, as reported by the state-run newspaper Escambray. Years of neglect and disuse have transformed the Cuartel de Dragones into what experts now describe as an "archaeological ruin."
An Evolution from Military Fort to Artistic Haven
Opened in 1844, the Cuartel de Dragones was later transformed into a railway station before being revitalized as an art academy in 1988. Despite its dilapidated state, students and teachers of the academy breathed new life into the space, fostering a hub of artistic creation. Throughout its more than two-decade-long operation, Trinidad became a nurturing ground for acclaimed Cuban artists like Alexander Arrechea and Wilfredo Prieto.
The academy provided instruction in various fields such as painting, sculpture, jewelry, and restoration. It stood as a bastion of creativity in a city steeped in artistic traditions, offering more than just a place of learning; it was a symbol of cultural richness that motivated its students and faculty beyond the confines of its ancient walls.
Restoration Efforts and Subsequent Abandonment
In 2001, a comprehensive restoration project was undertaken as part of the Batalla de Ideas, allocating 4.69 million CUC to refurbish the Cuartel de Dragones. Nonetheless, in 2013, the academy was unexpectedly closed due to a nationwide reorganization of Artistic Education, leaving the historic edifice deserted.
In the years that followed, the building saw temporary use as a high school and elementary school, yet further degradation was swift and inevitable. Today, ferns and weeds blanket the old halls, graffiti defaces its walls, and its roofs are on the brink of collapse.
The Deterioration of Cultural Heritage
According to Víctor Echenagusía Peña, a specialist from the Office of the Conservator of the City of Trinidad and the Valle de los Ingenios, the building's condition demands urgent and costly intervention. "The extent of deterioration is extreme. It's like a body without a skeleton. It erodes Cuban culture to extraordinary levels," he asserts.
The fate of the Cuartel de Dragones remains uncertain, with efforts to salvage the site hindered by economic constraints and a lack of institutional interest. While the Office of the Conservator cannot act without the approval of the Sector of Culture and Art, the dire economic circumstances render a comprehensive restoration almost unattainable.
There is ongoing debate over the possibility of the Ministry of Tourism converting the building into a hotel, which could compromise the original architectural values. Meanwhile, former students and faculty look upon the structure with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. "I prefer to remember it in its glory, not in its pain," expresses artist Yudit Vidal Faife.
The building, once a dynamic center of learning and creativity, now languishes in neglect, caught between oblivion and the absence of solutions for a space that, as Vidal Faife poignantly notes, "is losing a significant piece of our culture."