The railway bridge in Versailles, Matanzas is deteriorating amidst rust and neglect

The railway bridge of Versalles, which connects the banks of the Yumurí River in Matanzas, has been a vital link between the city and its Industrial Zone for many years; however, its metal structure now appears worn, splattered with rust and aged by time.

This bridge, with its tall metal arches and rails stained by the sparks of the trains that still cross it, stands as a reminder of times gone by and also reflects the neglect that prevails in the country, as can be seen in the images shared by the official newspaper Girón.

Beyond its railway utility, the bridge has been embraced by the local community in unexpected ways: children have turned it into an improvised trampoline, defying heights as they jump between its crossbeams.

In the same way, photographers have immortalized it as a symbol of Matanzas, capturing through their lens an image that combines the need for connection with the inherent poetry of the city.

The images shared by the news portal show a metallic giant succumbing to rust, which increasingly corrodes the structure, and it is also evident how trash is found everywhere.

But the bridge not only serves a practical function; it is also a reflection of the maintenance deficiencies and the ongoing need to find solutions to preserve these functional monuments.

As pointed out by the newspaper Girón, the deterioration of this structure raises a question about its future and the commitment to preserving the urban symbols that define Matanzas.

The reality of abandonment and destruction in Cuba is becoming increasingly evident in various parts of the country, where iconic places and entire communities are suffering the consequences of neglect and lack of maintenance.

On February 18, 2025, an article from CiberCuba highlighted how ruins and abandonment impact both urban and rural areas on the island. In Havana, the collapse of historic buildings has become a constant danger, while in the interior of the country, entire towns witness their infrastructure crumbling with no hope of restoration.

One of the most recent examples is Isabela de Sagua, a town that was once a key point on the northern coast of Cuba and is now in ruins, as a reflection of mass migration, lack of investment, and governmental neglect. The population that still endures in the area coexists with structures on the brink of collapse and inadequate public services.

Also in Havana, the Children's Park on the Malecón, a space that used to be a recreational spot for families and children, has been reduced to rubble, with broken swings, destroyed benches, and a complete lack of maintenance. What was once a lively place is now a silent testament to state neglect.

Similarly, the iconic Lenin Park, on the outskirts of the capital, faces a similar fate. Desolation has taken over what was once one of the most important recreational spaces in Cuba. Abandoned attractions, neglected green areas, and a noticeable lack of resources have turned this place into a shadow of what it was in past decades.

These examples are just a glimpse of the growing problem of neglect and destruction in Cuba, where the economic crisis and governmental inefficiency continue to impact the heritage and quality of life of citizens.

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