Nominated for two Golden Globe Awards, HBO’s ‘Hemingway & Gellhorn’ focuses on the intertwining lives of two of America’s most legendary icons – writer/adventurer Ernest Hemingway and Martha Gellhorn who was a pioneer in every sense of the word. It’s a long but epic film that focuses mostly on their involvement in the deadly Spanish American War, whirlwind marriage and inevitable break up.
You can say a great many things about Ernest Hemingway: he was a gifted writer, extremely hot-tempered, passionate and maybe even a little bit crazy – but one thing is for certain, he sure had great taste in real estate.
One of the standout stars of the film for me is the home Hemingway & Gellhorn purchased just outside of beautiful Havana, Cuba in 1939. The estate, called Finca Vigia (Lookout Farm), was purchased for $12,500 and sits on 12 acres of lush Cuban green land. Hemingway kept the home after their divorce and owned it for over 20 years; even staying put during the Castro overthrow of the Batista government. Hemingway also wrote some of his best stories at Finca Vigia, including classics like ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and ‘The Old Man and the Sea’.
As one would expect from a man who was rabidly against being overly frivolous or fancy, the home itself is restrained, relaxed and clearly designed and furnished with a masculine minimalist’s touch. The home has multiple studies for writing, a guesthouse and is ideally located near a fishing village and his favorite bar (he had many).
Take a look below at some photos of Finca Vigia, which is now property of the Cuban government but thankfully open to the public as a historic museum that to this day still has many of Hemingway’s personal items in them- 50 plus years later.
A humble but beautiful and spacious home
The former home of Ernest Hemingway is now a museum but the furniture and contents within the house are all original and authentic.
The home is surprisingly light and bright. In the film Hemingway & Gellhorn you’d remember the drunken boxing fights Ernest would have with friends in this room.
A view from the bathroom into Hemingway’s bedroom.
One of the bedrooms at Finca Vigia.
One of the studies at the former Hemingway & Gellhorn residence. Many classic pieces of literature were written in this room.
Fun fact. Ernest Hemingway obsessively recorded his weight. What you see hear is the result of Hemingway writing his weight throughout the years on his bathroom wall.
What do you think of Finca Vigia? Would you escape to a home like this to relax and get work done?
