Jacmel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jacmel
Jakmèl (Haitian Creole)
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Commune
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View of Jacmel.
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| Nickname(s):
Culture Capital, City of Artists
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 Jacmel
Location in Haiti
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| Country | Haiti |
| Department | Sud-Est |
| Arrondissement | Jacmel |
| Demonym | Jacmelien(ne) |
| Founded by Spain | 1504 |
| French settlement | 1698 |
| Founded by | Nicolás de Ovando |
| Population
(2019)
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| • Total | 137,966 |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (Eastern) |
Jacmel (pronounced "zhak-MEL" in French, or "Jakmèl" in Haitian Creole) is a lively city in southern Haiti. It was first settled by the Spanish in 1504 and later by the French in 1698. Jacmel is the capital of the Sud-Est department and is about 24 miles (39 km) southwest of Port-au-Prince.
The city's name comes from its original Taíno name, Yaquimel. In 1925, Jacmel earned the nickname "City of Light" because it was the first place in the Caribbean to have electricity! Today, Jacmel is famous for its beautiful old buildings, called Gingerbread houses, which were built in the early 1800s. The city is also known for its amazing art scene and is considered a possible World Heritage Site.
Contents
Jacmel's History
Jacmel was founded by a French company in 1698. It became the capital of the southeastern part of the French colony called Saint-Domingue. Before the French arrived, this area was home to the Taíno people, led by Chief Bohechio. The French later changed the name from Yaquimel to Jacmel.
The city was first built to help with sugar production and trade. However, it quickly became a major center for trading coffee. In 1896, a huge fire destroyed many buildings in Jacmel. But the city was rebuilt using strong cast-iron parts and balconies shipped from France. Many of these fancy homes, built by rich coffee traders, still stand today. The central part of Jacmel looks much like it did over 100 years ago.
The unique style of Jacmel's mansions, with their iron pillars and balconies, even influenced homes in New Orleans. Today, many of these historic houses are now shops where local artists sell colorful crafts. You can find amazing papier-mâché masks and carved wooden animals. Jacmel is a popular spot for tourists because it's peaceful and far from the busy capital, Port-au-Prince.
Over the years, Jacmel has been part of many important historical events.
Haitian Revolution and the War of Knives
In 1791 and 1792, a leader named Romaine-la-Prophétesse led thousands of rebels. They surrounded, took over, and then burned Jacmel. They also took weapons and supplies from nearby plantations, freeing many enslaved people.
Later, in 1799, Toussaint Louverture and André Rigaud fought over Jacmel in a conflict known as the War of Knives. Rigaud wanted to keep control of the city. By November, his forces were pushed back to Jacmel. The city's defense was led by Alexandre Pétion. Toussaint's troops finally captured Jacmel in February 1800. After this, Pétion and other leaders went to live in France for a while.
The Birth of the Gran Colombia Flag
An important moment for South American independence happened near Jacmel. Francisco de Miranda, a Venezuelan leader who inspired Simón Bolívar, created the first flag of Gran Colombia here. This flag later became the national flag of the First Republic of Venezuela.
On March 12, 1806, Miranda first raised this flag on his ship, the Leander, while anchored in Jacmel Bay. This day is still celebrated as Venezuelan Flag Day. The design of this "mother flag" (bandera madre) inspired the flags of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador, which became independent nations in 1830.
Jacmel Today
Jacmel is known around the world for its lively art scene and beautiful 19th-century houses. Artists here create amazing papier-mâché works and other crafts. The city has hosted a large event called the Jacmel Film Festival since 2004. In 2007, the international Jacmel Music Festival also began.
Many visitors come to Jacmel for its famous carnival, the nearby Bassin Bleu (Haiti's most famous natural deep pools), and its scenic white sand beaches. These beaches include Timouillage, Cabic, and Raymond-les-bains. Jacmel is considered one of the safest cities in Haiti, which makes it a popular choice for tourists looking for a peaceful visit. The city's growth has been boosted by tourism.
The 2010 Haiti Earthquake
On January 12, 2010, a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti. Jacmel suffered a lot of damage and many people were hurt. The first tremor hit at 4:40 pm, and a later one at 5:37 pm even stopped the cathedral's clock.
The mayor reported that about 300 to 500 people died and 4,000 were injured in Jacmel. Around 70 percent of the homes were damaged, especially in poorer areas. The town hall was so badly damaged that it had to be torn down. A small tsunami also hit Jacmel Bay, causing the ocean to pull back and then rush in four times.
Recovery Efforts
After the earthquake, many groups helped Jacmel recover. In December 2010, the Capponi Construction Group from Miami decided to help rebuild the city. They wanted to create a strong tourism economy for Haiti. Michael Capponi, who started the group, created the Jacmel Advisory Council. This group works to help Jacmel grow while keeping its unique art, culture, and traditions alive. They are also restoring a 200-year-old coffee-sorting house at the port. The goal is to make Jacmel a busy center for both business and tourism again.
Jacmel Carnival
The city of Jacmel is famous for its amazing carnival celebration. This celebration lasts for a whole month and ends the week before the national Haitian carnival. Jacmel's carnival is special because of its unique costumes and masks. These often show Haitian folklore legends, historical figures, sports stars, and funny political characters.
Notable People from Jacmel
Many important people have connections to Jacmel:
- René Depestre – A famous Haitian poet and writer. He was born in Jacmel, and much of his fictional work is set there.
- Préfète Duffaut – A well-known painter.
- Michaëlle Jean – The former Governor General of Canada. She was born in Port-au-Prince, but her family is from Jacmel.
- Magloire Ambroise – A hero of Haiti's fight for independence.
- Jørgen Leth – A Danish filmmaker and writer.
- Alexandre Grégoire – A painter known for showing scenes of daily life and historical events in a simple, direct style.
City Facilities
The Port of Jacmel (HTJAK) is a small port. It is not deep enough for very large ships. There is also a dock for smaller boats that survived the earthquake. The port is managed by the Autorité Portuaire Nationale.
Jacmel also has a small airport (MTJA). It can handle small to medium-sized planes but not large aircraft.
The city has two hospitals: Hôpital Saint-Michel and the "Complexe Médico Chirurgical Rose Marie Paul." The "Complexe Médico Chirurgical Rose Marie Paul" is a modern surgery center. Hôpital Saint-Michel is the largest hospital in the area. It has a staff of doctors and nurses. Even though half of the hospital was damaged in the 2010 earthquake, including the maternity ward, it continues to operate.
The town's main public square is called Place Toussaint Louverture. It is named after the famous Haitian revolutionary leader.
Sister Cities
Jacmel has special connections with other cities around the world:
Jacmel also works closely with:
Strasbourg, France (since 1996)
