The Esparto Interpretation Center in La Cuba aims to recall the importance that the esparto had for many families of the Maestrazgo coamrca. Making a trip through time and through a series of keys, relates history, economy and landscape. Answer the questions about what esparto is, how Cuba came to work, who worked. Through audios the viewer is greeted by a voice-over that, synchronized with a system of lights and images, will guide you through the center and explaining the history of Cuba and esparto.
The Interpretation Center of the Esparto Manufacturing demonstrates the importance of this material for many families of the Maestrazgo Turolense. Especially for the people of La Cuba which is with its 700 hectares the smallest term in all of Aragon. The scarcity of land to cultivate was supplemented by the craftsmanship of this material, with which they came to acquire great renown. Esparto were made mats, serones and coaches destined largely to transport in caballerias, the decline of these took logically paired that of the labor of esparto.
The work began by bringing the material from Hellín (Albacete), through the railway and then in caballerias to La Cuba. In order to work this material had to spend all night to soak. Subsequently the work was for the women who were in charge of braiding some broad strips called "llatas". For the realization of the diverse implements it was necessary to sew several of these "llatas", the seams were realized with braids of esparto, work that realized the men.
The work was carried out collectively, in the street, forming several corros called "the candle", these corros were the opportunity of social relation for the inhabitants of the town. Friendships and weddings arose in them.
After these tasks came the commercialization of the product, the Cubans left in search of potential customers, the fame and good work of these craftsmen preceded them.
Today the tradition is still alive thanks to the Interpretation Center, in which the history, the economy and the landscape of the area, are faithfully reflected. The itinerary begins on the ground floor with a montage that combines sound and light that guides us through the space of the house, while a voice tells us the history of esparto. The upper floor is dedicated to the exhibition of finished tools and products; As well as the projection of an audiovisual, in which several inhabitants of La Cuba work and explain this work.
In the Center there is also the possibility of expanding the information through a computer point, which shows us among other documents a lot of old photographs.