Matanzas Swing Bridge: Witness to love and daring leaps

The drawbridge of Matanzas, a steel relic suspended over the San Juan River, remains a place of meetings, promises, and decisions that defy logic and safety.

This structure, which has withstood the test of time and neglect, recently became the backdrop for a love story with hints of danger.

According to the state-run newspaper Girón, a young couple chose the iconic bridge as a refuge due to the lack of recreational options.

Without cinema or plans, they walked aimlessly until they reached the place where the river and the iron intersect, and in that place, amid silences and glances, he asked, “What if I jump?”

And without further ado, she jumped into the water from high above, in a gesture she interpreted as a wordless declaration.

The scene, filled with symbolism, conveyed an underlying message: true love sometimes leaps into the void, trusting that the other will be there below, waiting.

However, this practice, far from being new, is part of a dangerous tradition in the province.

Jumping off bridges is a common act among children and young people in Matanzas, but it still involves risks.

The structures, affected by years of deterioration and neglect, could be the setting for the unfortunate consequence of recklessness.

Although the scene may inspire verses and metaphors, some agree that it is urgent to raise awareness about the dangers inherent in such actions: love may be blind, but prevention must never close its eyes.

A century-old bridge with history, engineering, and untapped tourist potential to rediscover

Perhaps in 2025, the iconic drawbridge of Matanzas will move again on its axis, as a living testament to past engineering and a symbol of the city.

This was announced by Master Leonel Pérez Orozco, curator of Matanzas, during a session of the Tertulia de la Matanceridad held last year at the provincial headquarters of Uneac.

According to the specialist quoted by the newspaper Girón, the viaduct will undergo a technical inspection by experts from Matanzas and Havana, and the approval for its restoration will depend on the conclusions of that assessment.

The bridge, with an approximate length of 70 meters, was inaugurated on April 8, 1904, after being transported from the United States in dismantled pieces.

It was established on the San Juan River, about 50 meters from its mouth, and its original wooden base—which supported the passage of trains loaded with sugar for decades—was replaced in 1981 with reinforced concrete piles.

The rotation mechanism is based on gears activated by a motor made in Philadelphia, which was initially powered by magneto batteries and later by electrical energy.

The turning operation lasted one minute and 40 seconds, and it was necessary to activate the mechanisms at least once a week to prevent deterioration from oxidation.

However, the system has been inactive for over two decades, and the last time the bridge was turned was thanks to the manual effort of two railway workers, who managed to move it slowly with a lever until they aligned it between the neighborhoods of Matanzas and Pueblo Nuevo.

The drawbridge in Matanzas is not only a unique piece in Cuba, but it also belongs to a type of structure that is now scarce in the world.

Similar structures exist in Egypt (such as El Ferdam, the longest in the world over the Suez Canal), Uruguay (Carmelo Bridge), and Argentina (Women’s Bridge). In Spain, this type of viaducts was common in the past, although many have now been replaced.

Unlike modern bascule or swing bridges, the one in Matanzas retains a dual functionality: it allows for both railway or vehicular traffic and simultaneously facilitates the passage of vessels.

Its recovery would not only hold heritage value, but also enhance its appeal as a tourist destination, strengthening the Athens of Cuba as a hub of culture and living history.

In June, a couple of Cuban elderly was photographed walking hand in hand through the streets of Havana, capturing the admiration of thousands of users on social media for their affection and the companionship reflected in their gestures.

The scene, shared on digital platforms, served as a reminder of enduring love, that which survives the passage of time and everyday hardships, clinging to small acts like walking together under the Havana sun.

Months later, a touching reunion story moved many: a Cuban returned to the island after two years of absence and surprised his partner in what would become a viral moment.

The tears, the embrace, and the emotion captured on video revealed the depth of the bonds that remain intact despite the distance and the time separated by migratory circumstances, so common in today's Cuban reality.

Just a month ago, another unexpected display of love made headlines when a Cuban proposed to his girlfriend who is pregnant with twins, during a family celebration.

The gesture, filled with tenderness and hope, was captured in a video that circulated widely on social media, celebrating the values of commitment and family, even in the midst of economic and social crisis.

These stories, like the one that took place on the drawbridge in Matanzas, reflect various forms of love in contemporary Cuba: from silent devotion to the boldest public gestures.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Matanzas Drawbridge