In Pictures: A second life for Cuba's seaside swimming pools

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In Pictures: A second life for Cuba's seaside swimming pools

Many of Cuba's swimming pools that require fresh water have fallen into oblivion

Published: August 13, 2023 10:12 AFP

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Copy of 222408-01-02-1691906881411 — When summer temperatures start to sizzle in Havana, in-the-know locals head not to the beach but to seaside pools built by wealthy Cuban families in the first half of the last century. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222420-01-02-1691906852595 — Now abandoned and filled with seawater, the pools that survived the 1959 revolution are in the western Havana neighborhood of Miramar that flourished in the 1940s and 1950s with lavish mansions and luxury hotels. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222419-01-02-1691906857073 — "These swimming pools are a tradition. From generation to generation, we come here," said Boris Baltrons, 44, accompanied by his daughter, sister and nephew. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222415-01-02-1691906867322 — "These houses belonged to rich people. At the time, everyone had their own little pool," he explained, pointing to traces of Spanish tiles that originally lined the walls. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222411-01-02-1691906877763 — Known only to locals, the pools are at the end of a rubbish-strewn walk. Swimmers sometimes share the pools with fish, crabs and even small octopuses. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222406-01-02-1691906888270 — "It's not a beach like Varadero, but children can have fun here," said Alberto, a 38-year-old scientist, referring to the seaside resort east of the capital. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222412-01-02-1691906874311 — He came on foot with his family, before sunset, to take a dip in one of the open-air swimming pools. Havana's closest sandy beaches are about a 20-minute drive away, a luxury not everyone can afford on the Communist island where fuel shortages are common. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222422-01-02-1691906847980 — Many of Cuba's swimming pools that require fresh water have fallen into oblivion, including ones built within sports facilities during the first decades of the revolution. Image Credit: AFP

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20230813 pools — These days they are used by skateboarders, graffiti artists, videographers and children playing soccer. Image Credit: AFP

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Copy of 222413-01-02-1691906870980 — Today, the island's lush vegetation has begun to devour parts of this vast slab of blue concrete, now deserted. Image Credit: AFP

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