Presidio Modelo

The Presidio Modelo contains five circular buildings with cells arranged in tiers around central observation towers, following the panopticon design principle.

Constructed between 1926 and 1931 under President Gerardo Machado, this prison held Fidel Castro and other revolutionaries after the 1953 Moncada Barracks attack.

The prison design reflects Jeremy Bentham's panopticon concept, where guards could observe inmates without them knowing if they were being watched.

The facility operated until 1967 with a capacity of 2,500 inmates but frequently exceeded 6,000 prisoners, leading to multiple riots and protests.

The administration building now functions as an educational center, while the circular structures serve as a museum documenting Cuba's penal history.

Location: Isla de la Juventud

Official opening: September 16, 1931

GPS coordinates: 21.87778,-82.76639

Latest update: May 27, 2025 07:15