The Simoni Country House Museum in our city is a house that was built in 1848, and owned by one of the most progressive families in Camagüey city, the Simoni Argilagos. It was called “Tínima”, for crossing the river with that name a section of the land.
Its two floors obeyed the construction dictates of the time: solid structure, simplicity in its forms and firm carpentry work on doors, windows, bars and balustrades in general. Dr. Simoni moved with his daughter Amalia to that place when she was 6 years old. There she spent her adolescence until her happy marriage with the lawyer Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz. Both resided in the place until the arrival a month-after the marriage- of the message that put the future Mambí chief on notice: he had to hide from the Spanish authorities.
The Simoni Country House Architecture
This 19th century suburban mansion is the only one of its kind and that has been preserved in the city to this day, it has a different expression than the buildings in the Historic Center of Camagüey. In one of its galleries there is a patio with a spacious garden that has a fountain and a gazebo, in this place the love affair between Amalia Simoni and Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz sprouted.
Unlike other homes of the time, the house has neoclassical elements; it has a C-plan and two levels, with a central patio and a right-hand side, as well as large green areas in the background. Its facade is neoclassical and of great presence, which manages to rank and become a point of reference in the environment. On the lower level, it presents a wide portal richly decorated with six semicircular arches and nine semicircular section pilasters attached to the wall, which in the upper part serves as a terrace.
One of the things that attracts the most attention on the facade is the design of the metopes that decorate the entrance hall, since on it are the initials of the Simoni Argilagos family, the date this property was built and 35 symbols of Masonic inspiration, which make this country house unique.
Declaration of National Monument
The declaration as a National Monument was given by the National Monuments Commission in paragraph 3 of article 4 of Law No.2 of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Law of National and Local Monuments. December 22nd, 2005.
The old Simoni Country House, now the “Simoni Country House” Museum, encourages and recognizes the dedication of specialists in the field of restoration, researchers and historians who in various ways have used their respective talents in order to not allow under any circumstances the disappearance of the patrimonial assets of this part of the Cuban geography.
It is a wonder for all the people of Camagüey who see in this building, a permanent reflection of the creativity and history of the best sons and daughters of the region, possessor of a collection of goods that belonged to the Simoni Argilagos family, the headquarters incorporates its structure itself to the attractions enjoyed by visitors. For years it has been inserted in the community where it resides – in the vicinity of Havana Square in the capital of Agramonte – in its capacity as the house of the Camaguey family.
Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García
