Photos from Our World

Jacmel, on the south coast of Haiti

Jacmel (or Jakmèl in Kréyòl) is a nice city on the southern shore of Haiti. Its name is derived from the indigenous Taíno Arawak name of Yaquimel. It is a picturesque town with about 40,000 inhabitants and still has many mansions that go back to the late 19th century when it was inhabited by wealthy coffee merchants. These mansions have strong resemblances to those in New Orleans with their cast iron pillars and balconies, obtained from France: New Orleans architecture was influenced by that of Jacmel. Artisan shops selling handicrafts like masks made from papier-mâché and woodcarved animal figures are now housed in some of them. Jacmel is quite popular as a tourist destination as it is a quiet and relaxed place, especially when compared with nearby Port-au-Prince.

But on 12 January 2010, a massive earthquake, 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck 15 km west of Port-au-Prince; it devastated Jacmel as well: most of its buildings were destroyed and its inhabitants left without food or water for many days.

	View near Jacmel	The Bay of Jacmel	Along the Baie de Jacmel	The Jacmel river
	Street in Jacmel	Town centre of Jacmel	Jacmel Catholic church	Street scene of Jacmel
	Boy of Jacmel	Market in Jacmel	Selling tomatoes	Market women

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