Cathedral of Rum

The Cathedral of Rum in Cataño, Puerto Rico is the world's largest rum distillery.[1] The Bacardi Distillery is located on 137 acres and consists of forty-four buildings and structures, twenty-four of which contribute to its historical character.[2] It can be accessed from and is located at the intersection of PR-165 and PR-888.

Bacardí Distillery
Bacardi Distillery building in Cataño.
Cathedral of Rum is located in Puerto Rico
Cathedral of Rum
LocationCataño, Puerto Rico
Coordinates18.46054°N 66.14227°W / 18.46054; -66.14227
Built1947
ArchitectW. Donald Christie, Enrique Gutiérrez, Henry Klumb, Héctor Varela
Architectural styleArt deco
NRHP reference No.10000524
Added to NRHPAugust 6, 2010

History

Founded in Cuba in 1862 and family-owned for eight generations, Bacardi Limited employs more than 7,000 people with sales in approximately 170 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.[3][4]

Registered in Puerto Rico in 1909, it was not until January 1, 1937, when the first batch of Bacardi rum was produced in Cataño, Puerto Rico. In 1958, Bacardí purchased 138 acres of land in Cataño (a suburb of San Juan) and then governor Luis Muñoz Marín called it the "Cathedral of Rum".[4]

The Bacardi Corporation in Cataño supplies the largest quantity of rum consumed in the world[5] and is the private company that most contributes to the public treasury of Puerto Rico.

The Bacardi Distillery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 6, 2010, based on two criteria: (criteria A) the distillery's enormous contribution to the economic development of Puerto Rico since its establishment and (criteria C) its designers included W. Donald Christie, Henry Klumb, Héctor Varela, and Enrique Gutiérrez. The builders included José Benítez Gutiérrez, Ramón M. Benítez, Ignacio Martín, and SAG MAC.[6]

There is a family museum at the complex and in 2012, the Bacardi family celebrated 150 years in business and gathered at the complex in Cataño. A bust of its founder, Facundo Bacardi Masso was unveiled.[7] Then Governor Luis Fortuño also declared a new holiday called Bacardi Day, to be celebrated on February 4, in honor of the company's important ties to Puerto Rico and its economy.[4]

The Bacardi complex is the second most visited tourist attraction in Puerto Rico.[4] At the complex, tourists can go on a historical tour, a rum tasting tour and learn how to mix Bacardi rum drinks.[8]

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, the distillery was soon able to provide clean drinking water to residents.[7]

Buildings
  • Casa BACARDI
  • Bacardi Family Museum
  • Bacardi Distillery
  • Bacardi Pavilion
  • Casa BACARDI
    Casa BACARDI
  • Emblem on the Bacardi Family Museum
    Emblem on the Bacardi Family Museum
  • Bacardi Distillery
    Bacardi Distillery
  • Bacardi Pavilion
    Bacardi Pavilion
  • Bacardi in Cataño
    Bacardi in Cataño

References
  1. "Casa Bacardi 'The Cathedral of Rum'". Difford's Guide. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  2. "Registro nacional de Lugares Historicos" (in Spanish).
  3. "Bacardi Limited". BacardiLimited.com website. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  4. Kantrow-Vázquez, Michelle (February 6, 2012). "Bacardí marks 150th anniversary with historic family gathering". News is My Business. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  5. "BACARDI: Then and Now". in the Mix Magazine. June 26, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  6. Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos (in Spanish). Oficina Estatal de Conservación Histórica -Oficina del Gobernador (OECH) (State Historic Preservation Office -Office of the Governor (SHPO). p. 58.
  7. Hall, April (October 3, 2017). "Bacardi Family's Aid After Puerto Rico Hurricane". Family Business Magazine. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
  8. "Casa BACARDÍ Puerto Rico". Discover Puerto Rico. Retrieved September 1, 2021.
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