Real Fabrica de Partagas (Royal Factory of Partagas), Havana

The Royal Factory of Partagas (Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás), situated in Havana, is a distinguished cigar factory that doubles as a museum, renowned for the production of the world-famous habanos cigars. Located directly across from Havana's monumental Capitol building, it stands as one of the oldest cigar factories in Cuba. The factory is housed in an architecturally significant industrial building from 1845, which captures attention with its elaborate and vibrant maroon and cream facade, distinguishing it from its neighboring structures.

The inception of the Royal Factory of Partagas traces back to Jaime Partagás, the visionary behind its establishment. However, the factory faced challenges and experienced a period of uncertainty following the enigmatic death of its founder. The turning point came when Ramon Cifuentes assumed control, under whose leadership the factory flourished, marking a new era of growth and prosperity for the business.

Today, about 500 employees are working there, crafting cigars for famous labels such as Montecristo and Cohíba. You can see the process of sorting and categorizing the leaves on the first floor, and the steps of rolling, pressing, decorating, and packaging the cigars on the higher levels. Additionally, the facility includes a sales area offering a wide selection of Havana cigars, as well as a bar.

The Partagá Royal Tobacco Factory not only serves as a testament to Cuba's rich tobacco heritage but also stands as a significant cultural and historical landmark, attracting visitors from around the globe who are eager to explore its legacy and witness the artistry of cigar-making in a setting steeped in history.