In my previous post I was telling you about various facets of Havana. Now, I will show you the Old Havana.
El Morro Castle – The guarding fortress standing out at the entrance of Havana bay. Built originally to guard the city from pirates, the castle is a witness of history in Havana
Stopping point for Spanish ships, La Habana Vieja has a history of about 500 years. With 2 fortresses to defend the city, one on each side of the Havana Bay, the city became a safe place since 16th century.
San Carlos de la Cabaña – fortress located on the east side of the Havana bay is the most impressive fortress from colonial times, particularly its walls constructed at the end of the 18th century.
With lots of styles in architecture, the Old Havana still amazes the travelers: we found so many forts, churches, ancient monuments, and palaces. Lots of them are renovated, but still plenty to be restored.
Havana Cathedral, located in Plaza de la Cathedral, built in a baroque style from 1748 to 1777; it is mainly constructed from blocks of corals cut from sources in the Gulf of Mexico’s ocean floorUsed today for concerts and exhibitions, Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis built at the end of 16th century was originally home of the Franciscan communityOne of the oldest stone forts in the New World, completed in 1577, Castillo de la Real Fuerza is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage
Hotel Inglaterra built originally in 1844 with only 2 floors, has changed its shape many times over years, as well as its owners. With a fourth floor added in 1914, the hotel was remodeled many times. The hotel is expected to join Starwood Hotels on Dec 1st, 2017, and was actually the first hotel in Cuba announced to be managed by an American company in almost 60 years.
Hotel Sevilla – originally built with 4 floors in 1908, has expanded later on in 1924 up to 10 floors
El Templete is the monument that pays tribute to the place where the foundation of Havana was built. The monument has a bust of Christopher Columbus, and a newly (re)planted silk-cotton tree representing the place where the first mass and first council of Havana took place.
The main administrative centre of the city of the colonial times, Plaza de Armas was also the site of military parades, evening promenades and other events.
A place where history is written in the cobblestones, Havana is a city you can easily fall in love with.
Gran Teatro de la Habana- built from 1908, opened in 1915; home to the Cuban National BalletGran Teatro de la Habana intricacies
An open book for the scholars who study architecture, this is a place where one cannot rush to truly appreciate the views. All you need is comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and sunscreen. And an open mind.
As part of the UNESCO Heritage since 1982, the Old Havana borders are marked with some of the few thousand of rusted cannons that Spanish used to have in both fortresses.
Cannons bordering The Old Havana
Zanja Real is the first aqueduct built in Cuba: between 1565 and 1592. With more than 11 km long, this canal ensured the supply of water in Havana from 1592 to 1835.
The wall foundation of the old city
A place where time has a different dimension, and colors have different shades, The Old Havana is somehow like a phoenix, reborn from its own ashes. Modern art is mixing everywhere with old statues; history and contemporaneity are siblings. We were amazed at the variety of art on the streets of Havana!
An iron lion-head mailbox on the front wall of the post office
Plaza Vieja – originally named Plaza Nueva in 1559, was named as Plaza Vieja only in 1814 to differentiate from other plazas emerged in the 18th century.Site of executions, processions, bullfights, and fiestas, Plaza Vieja is a quiet place to stroll in and admire the few architectural pieces, especially the riding woman, a life-size statue. Naked, but with her shoes on, holding a big fork and riding a rooster, this bronze statue only is a good reason to stop by this Plaza. Obvious theme of women emancipation, the statue shows the beauty of a woman, who, while still enchanting, can also take the reins and deal with any situation.
Traditional outfit
After visiting the city of Havana, where the old is new and the new is old, I can fully understand why the city was selected in 2014 one of the New7Wonders Cities. You can go yourself for a visit and you won’t be sorry!! The secret is to not have high or fancy expectancies, and then you will see the people how they truly live their life, while having an amazing experience on Cuban lands.
Paseo del Prado became famous last year, in 2016, when Chanel used this venue as a stage for their fashion show.Amazing mural of aprox 300m2 depicts 67 outstanding figures on a wall on Mercaderes Street. The building in this mural actually is very similar with the mansion from the other side of the street
The bronze life-size statue “El Caballero de Paris “ stands out on the sidewalk, in front of the Basilica de San Francisco de Asis, where he is actually buried. Known as the “gentleman of Paris”, he was a mentally ill Havana resident who wandered the streets of Havana and became very popular. People uses to rub its beard for good luck
Canadians can travel freely in Cuba. As for Americans, they can do also but my understanding is they need to select proper reason permitting a visa (which is not tourism, indeed).
Thank you! I had no idea either that coral was used to build churches, but I guess the coral blocks were cheap and strong, and easy to be used at that time.
It’s just crazy to me that these creations were made so long ago and with materials that were available to them at the time, but has still stood the test of time.
Stunning photos. We have never been to Cuba, but our interest has raised, because in out TV has been presented the history of Cuba. Now we have watched six parts and there are yet two to come. Thank you for this lovely post.
Thank you for your kind words. There is so much to see in Cuba, and more to learn about Cuban life. I wish we could have stayed longer, but maybe next time:) All the best!
Great post Christie. Certainly lots of interesting architecture, history and art. We have never been to Cuba, but our neighbours have. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Oh, Cuba.. we certainly miss it, with its best or worse LOL We would definitely go back once the restrictions will ease up, they have amazing beaches, and I really miss a salty breeze in my face🙂
1000 Places and Memories 
Intriguing pix and extremely interesting post.
LikeLike
Like the post . But as an American how did you get visa , Cuba is not open for tourism as of this time . How did you do it ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Canadians can travel freely in Cuba. As for Americans, they can do also but my understanding is they need to select proper reason permitting a visa (which is not tourism, indeed).
LikeLike
I love all the pictures. It is amazing. I had no idea that cathedrals could be made from coral. That’s awesome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I had no idea either that coral was used to build churches, but I guess the coral blocks were cheap and strong, and easy to be used at that time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s just crazy to me that these creations were made so long ago and with materials that were available to them at the time, but has still stood the test of time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks an interesting place, love all the art and beautiful buildings 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it is an interesting place to visit indeed, with a variety of art on the streets of Havana. Glad you like it:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Like the post . Looks an interesting place, love all the art and beautiful buildings 🙂
LikeLike
Stunning photos. We have never been to Cuba, but our interest has raised, because in out TV has been presented the history of Cuba. Now we have watched six parts and there are yet two to come. Thank you for this lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind words. There is so much to see in Cuba, and more to learn about Cuban life. I wish we could have stayed longer, but maybe next time:) All the best!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post Christie. Certainly lots of interesting architecture, history and art. We have never been to Cuba, but our neighbours have. Thanks for sharing. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, Cuba.. we certainly miss it, with its best or worse LOL We would definitely go back once the restrictions will ease up, they have amazing beaches, and I really miss a salty breeze in my face🙂
LikeLike