Torre de Manaca Iznaga

About

While it might look like it belongs to a church, the Torre de Manaca Iznaga was built by Pedro Iznaga as a watchtower for his sprawling sugar plantation. From the summit of this 45-meter-tall spire, a guard could monitor the slaves, and ring the bells to signal the start and end of the work day. Local legends like to romanticize the tower’s origins, with one saying it was erected as part of a competition between Pedro and his brother Alejo to win the heart of a woman, while another says it was built to imprison Alejo's unfaithful wife. But the truth is much more mundane: it was simply a display of wealth and a tool of oppression. Keeping that in mind, climb the 184 steps to the top of the tower, for amazing views across the former plantation, the Valle de los Ingenios, and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad. If you need to refuel after the climb, Iznaga’s manor has been converted into a restaurant.