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Best of La Havana
Catedral de la Havana (Catedral de la Virgen Maria de la Concepcion Inmaculada)
It was constructed in 1788 in honor to the sacred Virgin Marie and the planes for the construction were made by the Jesuits, who also expanded and embellished the cathedral between 1802 and 1832. The nave of the cathedral had a monument which was dedicated to Christopher Columbus which was removed after Cuban Independence in XIX century.
The sculptures and pieces of goldmithing were made by the Italian Bianchini. The architecture of the Cathedral is a example of baroque. The build has a peculiar feature, one of its towers is wider than the other, that is for allowing to water flow freely to the streets when it rains. Alejo Carpentier described the historical monument as “Music set in Stone”. The cathedral is located on the “Plaza de la Catedral” in old Havana’s heart.
Monumento a Jose Marti
It is a collection of personal objects belonged to Jose Marti the famous writer, poet and revolutionary. The collection includes some documents of the Cuban revolution. The building in where the collection is saved, it is the highest in the city with 142 meters, so it has a great view of the city. Besides in front of the building, there is a big statue of Jose Marti which is made of white marble and is 17 meters high.
El Capitolio Nacional (The National Capitol)
This buliding has almost same design of American Congress Capitol in Washington USA and was constructed in 1929 when Cuba was very influenced by American society. Now the building houses the Cuban Senate. Perhaps the main attraction into this building is the “Salon de los Pasos Pérdidos” (the hall of the lost steps); which save into it a beautiful diamond that marks just de centre of the city. Besides into Capitol also works the Cuban Natural History Museum which owns the largest collection of its kind in the country. The Capitol also hosts the biggest indoors bronze effigy in the world.
The Capitol is situated at 10200 “Paseo Marti” and is opened to visitors every day from 9:00 to 18:00.
Casa de las Americas (House of Las Americas)
This place is the main cultural center in Cuba. Its scope is the promotion of Latin American art and culture. It was created by Haydee Santamaría in 1959 after the Cuban Revolution. Now the famous painter Mariano Roberto Fernandez Retamar is president of the institution. Many activities are organized by the institution amongst them literature and paint awards, photography exhibits, music concerts and art workshops. Besides, the institution owns a important Library. La Casa de las Americas is situated at Calle Tercera (Third Street) and opens from Monday to Friday from 8:00 to 17:00.
Callejon de Hammel (Hammel Alley)
It is a modern attraction of the city which was designed by Salvador Gonzáles a important Cuban painter and sculptor, who wanted to show in his design the African influence on Cuban culture. Sundays Caribbean music groups play its sings in this place and some Fridays the alley is scenery of poetry and ballads concerts as well as clowns shows. Cuba and specially La Habana is characterized by its rich cultural life and in Hammel Alley you can find a good sample of it.
The alley is located amongst Aramburu and Hospital Street.
Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
This is a military construction made between 1589 and 1630 for to defend the city of the pirates and other enemies like the English who attacked La Havana in 1762; in this attack Luis Velasco (an important hero of the city) death while defended the castle. In 1845 a lighthouse was constructed into the castle which is hitherto the main attraction of the monument. The castle is located at “Carretera de La Cabaña” and is opened from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Sundays from 9:00 to 13:00.
Parque central (Central park)
This beautiful park is surrounded by several buildings which were constructed in XIX century. The park was built in 1903 and now hosts some of the older Havana restaurants in addition to ancient hotels like Sevilla , Plaza and Inglaterra. The park also has an exotic collection of trees including several royal palms. It is a natural meeting point for the people. They currently come here for to take a drink or listen to music, whereas they wander between the local clubs and theaters.
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This is a monument situated in the “Plaza de Armas” (Main Square) and was constructed in XIX century by La Habana citizens. The monument marks the original point in where San Cristobal de La Habana (the original name of the city) was founded. At the monument it can find a bust of Christopher Columbus, three paints of Juan Bautista Vermay and a column which represent the original “ceiba” tree in where was made the first mass and the first council.
Cristo de la Habana
This is amazing statue of white marble which is located at left to entry to Port between “San Carlos de La Cabaña” and “Casa Blanca” was inaugurated on December 25, 1958 just one week before the fall of Batista. The statue was constructed in Italy by Gilma Madera and is 20 meters high and weighs 320 tons. Often this beatiful work of art is compared with the Christ of Corcobado in Rio de Janeiro.
Muralla de la Habana (The wall)
This wall was constructed for the defense of the city against pirates and corsairs who often attacked the city. Nevertheless the wall wasn’t finished ever; since the city was growing every day faster than the wall, then in 1603 it was partially destroyed. Now only some parts of the wall are standing as such the segment between “Érgido” and “Desamparados”, the segment at “Puertas del Arsenal”, and the segment “Garitas del Ángel”.
El Malecón (the jetty)
This is a beautiful road with view to the Ocean which crosses the entire city from “la Habana Vieja” to “Miramar”. One the best experience in” La Habana” is to see the sunset from here.
Barrio Chino (China town)
It is located in the center of the city at Cuchillo Street and the main attraction is the Chinese food which is sold in the restaurants of the zone. The Chinese town represents the active role of the Chinese community in the city and the country.
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