Jacmel is a city in southern Haiti founded in 1698, it is the capital of the department of the Southeast. Jacmel is a quiet city but full of charm situated on Horseshoe Bay. Its population is estimated at 15,000. The city has not changed much sinced the late 19th century when this charming port city was home of wealthy coffee merchants living in gracious mansions which later influenced the home structure of New Orleans; the architecture of the city boasted cast iron pillars and balconies purchased in France. Today, many of these homes are now artisan shops that sell vibrant handicrafts, papier-mache masks and carved-wood animal figures. In recent years, efforts have been made to revitalize the once flourishing cigar and coffee industries.
The city was created in 1699 as the capital of the south eastern part of the French colony Saint-Domingue.
Toussaint Louverture fought over Jacmel in the so-called War of Knives between him and Andre Rigaud. This war began in June of 1799. By November the rebels were pushed back to this strategic southern port, the defence of which was commanded by Petion. Jacmel fell to Toussaint's troops in March of 1800 and the rebellion was effectively over. Petion and other mulatto leaders went into exile in France.
A predecessor of Simon BolĂivar in the liberation struggle from colonialism in Spanish ruled South America, Francisco de Miranda, created the first Venezuelan flag near Jacmel. Anchored in the Bay of Jacmel (Baie de Jacmel), he first raised the flag on March 12, 1806 on the Corvette Leander. This day is still celebrated as Venezuelan Flag Day.
Puerto Rican pro-independence leader R. Emeterio Betances spent a short interval in Jacmel in 1870, from where he channeled support for an uprising in the Dominican Republic, seeking to install a liberal government there. Then-president of Haiti Nissage Saget supported Betances' ideals of a pan-Antillean union, and gave the uprising his support.
The port town is internationally known for it's vibrant art scene and elegant townhouses dating to the 1800's. In recent years Jacmel has been host to a large film festival. It's carnival, the nearby Bassins Bleu (blue water pools), and the beaches attract many visitors.
