In the heart of Quinta Avenida within the Playa municipality, a mansion stands that is known to locals as "La Ferminia." This architectural wonder harbors a rich history of power, dispossession, and change that has indirectly impacted several generations of Cubans. Recently, Facebook user Roberto Ariel Fernández Flores posted images of the mansion in the group Fotos de La Habana, seeking information about the original owners.
Another Facebook user, Cecilia García, shared intriguing details that helped trace the story of this expropriated mansion in Havana. According to her, the house once belonged to a wealthy lady named Matilde Montalvo. José Valiente, another commentator, mentioned that he lived next to the Montalvo family who passed away in the 1970s, after which the mansion was seized by the State.
The Original Owners of "La Ferminia"
The Havana mansion now recognized as "La Ferminia" is an eclectic architectural gem. It was the residence of Matilde de Montalvo and her sisters, Gena and Lola. Surrounded by art, lush gardens, and unique features such as a private chapel, swimming pool, and a garden-facing salon with a bar, the family enjoyed a life of luxury. Their home boasted an impressive kitchen and a personal wine cellar that hosted some of Cuba's most renowned chefs.
Though the Montalvo sisters experienced opulence in their youth, their later years were marked by seclusion. Matilde married Nicolás Castaño Padilla, a Basque-Cuban businessman involved in importation and maritime trade. She was his second wife. During their wedding, a jilted former lover of Nicolás attempted to kill him, firing a shot that merely grazed his ear—a dramatic anecdote highlighting the passionate tensions of 20th-century Havana.
Nicolás Castaño Padilla was a prominent figure in the family, which included a robust Cuban branch and powerful Basque origins. His father, Patricio Castaño Capetillo, was an influential merchant and patron who expanded the family's businesses in Cuba and Spain. "La Ferminia" remained Matilde Montalvo's home until the Cuban government expropriated it, using the pretext of a lack of heirs to inherit the property.
The Transformation: From Private Residence to State Control
As a result of Cuba's real estate expropriation policies, "La Ferminia" eventually fell into state hands. The inventory included everything from artworks and silverware to kitchenware and furniture. Initially, the mansion served as the "Sergio Pérez" Gastronomy School, training specialists for the Council of State, the Palace of Conventions, and protocol events. Alumni often praise the high-quality education and faculty of this institution.
A New Chapter: From School to State-Run Restaurant
In 1992, the mansion became part of the state enterprise Palmares, responsible for managing restaurants and recreational centers. Under its administration, "La Ferminia" was transformed into a restaurant offering Cuban and international cuisine, maintaining a refined ambiance that attempts to preserve some of its former grandeur. Its expansive salons, pergolas, and wine cellar with premium selections contrast with the sense of loss felt by those who remember its original story.
For years, the restaurant was highly praised for its culinary offerings, exceptional service, and welcoming atmosphere, yet it never lost its familial character. Entering "La Ferminia" still evokes the strange feeling of socializing in someone else's private home, as if being watched by the spirits of its past inhabitants from the serene gardens.
Despite the regime's efforts to repurpose the property, the mansion's bourgeois spirit endures, a testament to its lasting essence.
Understanding the Impact of Expropriation on Historic Cuban Mansions
Who originally owned La Ferminia?
La Ferminia was originally owned by Matilde Montalvo and her sisters, Gena and Lola, who lived a life of luxury before the mansion was expropriated by the Cuban government.
What was La Ferminia used for after expropriation?
After its expropriation, La Ferminia was initially used as the "Sergio Pérez" Gastronomy School, and later became a restaurant under the management of the state enterprise Palmares.
How did La Ferminia's original character endure despite changes?
Despite changes in ownership and function, La Ferminia's original bourgeois spirit endures, as its architecture and history continue to evoke its past grandeur.