Nueva Gerona - Presidio Modelo

Just to the southeast of Nueva Gerona is the famous Presidio Modelo, a former jail but now a museum. The Presidio Modelo has a beautiful façade with three large arches marking the entrance and arch windows lining the building, with of course bars that remind visitors this was once a functioning prison. It was built on the design of Joliet in Illinois, USA. This unique jail allowed guards to watch prisoners from the lower level galleries without ever having contact with the inmates.

The prison's most famous prisoner was Fidel Castro, who resided here for two years from 1953 to 1955. His cell, 3859 is now on display for visitors to see. During World War II Presidio Modelo also housed alleged war criminals from enemy countries.