On October 17, 1870, the teenage José Martí spent nine weeks of exile at this farm before his deportation to Spain. Legend has it that the revolutionary's mother forged the shackles he wore here into a ring, which Martí wore to his death. Set below the Sierra de las Casas, the old hacienda's surroundings are as much of an attraction as the museum. It's signed off the main road to Hotel Colony (a continuation of Calle 41), 3km southwest of Nueva Gerona.
The house is still occupied by descendents of Giuseppe Girondella, who hosted Martí here. A dirt road
just before the museum leads north to the island's former marble quarry, clearly visible in the distance. The quarry is moderately interesting (if you like big holes in the ground), but the real attraction is the climb up the hill, from where there are lovely views . After descending, continue north between a garbage dump and several rows of pig pens to Calle 54 on the right. This street will bring you back into town via the Museo de Historia Natural, six blocks to the east.
