CENTRO HISTÓRICO
LEYENDA Terminal de Cruceros
to the access channel to the bay and for being surrounded by a large number of buildings that constituted an impediment to its canyons in case of attack. It served as the official residence for the governors of the Island until 1762.
Currently the castle houses the Naval Museum. In its rooms the result of underwater investigations that have brought to light numerous riches such as gold and silver ingots, jewels, coins and other objects such as astrolabs, found in wrecks of different eras, are exhibited. The main attraction of the museum is the interactive model of 4 m of the Holy Trinity galleon, built in Havana between 1767 and 1770 that was destroyed in the Battle of Trafalgar.
The Force has among its attributes a front courtyard populated by cannons and mortars, as well as the coat of arms of the House of Austria carved on the door. And the Giraldilla de La Habana, a kind of weather vane sculpted in bronze by Havana artist Jerónimo Martín Pinzón, was located in the northwest tower of the fortress during the term of Governor Juan Vitrián de Viamonte between 1630 and 1634 in honor of Isabel de Bobadilla. Voluptuous figure that appears with braided hair and clothes in the wind, in his right hand he carries a palm and in the left a cross, converted into a symbol of the city, which is observed today in the tower is a replica of the original displayed in the castle.
4 PALACIO DEL SEGUNDO CABO Center for the Interpretation of Cultural Relations Cuba-europe
O´reilly No.4 esq. a Tacón. Telf. 7 801 71 76/20 Austere construction of eclectic style, its construction dates from 1770 when it was
designated post office of the city. Subsequently he had several functions as residence of the Vice Governor General of the Island, and after independence he was the seat of the Senate of the Republic. It currently houses the Interpretation Center for cultural relations in Cuba -Europe, being the first fully interactive and technological museum of the Historic Center.
5 PALACIO DE LOS CAPITANES GENERALES AND CITY MUSEUM
Tacón No.1 e/ Obispo y O’reilly Telf. 7 869 7358
Its construction was completed in 1791, it was the official residence of 65 general captains of the Island between 1791 and 1898, residence of the governors during the American occupation (1898-1902) and first seat of the Cuban Government between 1902 and 1920, and between 1920 and 1967 was the seat of the mayor's office in Havana.
The building has a wide portal supported by an Ionic colonnade and the well-known Calle de Madera passes through its front, from which the Chinese stoned pelones were replaced by wooden pavers, so that the noise of the carriages did not disturb The inhabitants of the palace. The three-story structure surrounds an imposing central courtyard that contains a sculpture by Christopher Columbus made by the Italian sculptor Cucchiari, as well as the first known epigraphic inscription of the Island, the gravestone of Maria Cepero, noble lady of the city who died when a bullet of cannon impact the old Parochial Church Mayor, located in this land until 1741. It currently houses the City Museum and numerous offices of the Office of the City Historian. Its rooms show different rooms furnished as they were originally, as well as the Hall of Flags, which
treasures interesting collections of the first flags of the republic, as well as relics belonging to the heroes of independence. In addition, the visitor can enjoy rooms dedicated to archeology, weapon collections and the Cabinet of Dr. Emilio Roig de Leushering, the city's first historian.
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Obispo No. 61, e/ Oficios y Baratillo Telf. 7 863 9361
It shows the evolution of the species in a very well conceived exhibition, in which important specimens of the Cuban flora and fauna can be appreciated, many in reproductions of their natural environment. The museum has a wide collection of dissected animals such as tigers, apes, snakes and rodents. For children it has an interactive game room and a specialized library.
RUBÉN MARTÍNEZ VILLENA PROVINCIAL LIBRARY
Obispo No. 59, e/ Oficios y Baratillo Telf. 7 862 9035/39 ext. 118, Dpto. Juvenil 103 y 104
One of the most important libraries in the city, it has several interactive rooms for different audiences, as well as an art gallery on its ground floor. The building where it is located formerly served as the headquarters of the American embassy on the Island.
PALACIO DEL CONDE DE SANTOVENIA, SANTA ISABEL HOTEL
Baratillo e/ Obispo y O´relly Telf. 7 860 8201
It represents the quintessence of Cuban colonial architecture, its façade is graced by a vaulted column portico while on the balconies it has wrought iron railings, whose windows display semipoint arches adorned with colored glass. The Count was known for holding famous parties such as the one he held in commemoration of the ascension to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II that lasted for 3 days and culminated in the release of a happily decorated gas balloon. At present, the property houses the famous Santa Isabel hotel, where former US President Jimmy Carter stayed during his visit to Havana in 2002.
TACÓN STREET, CUBA AND PLAZUELA DE LA MAESTRANZA JUANA CARVAJAL HOUSE, ARCHEOLOGY MUSEUM
Tacón No.12 e/ O’reilly y Empedrado
Telf: 7 861 4469
Simple building mentioned for the first time in the minutes in 1644, it exhibits pre-columbian pieces in addition to ceramic remains and objects belonging to the early years of the Colony. Among its main pieces, it has an interesting collection of dissected birds, as well as samples of the 18th-century wall painting.
6 FORMER SEMINARY OF SAN CARLOS AND SAN AMBROSIO, FATHER FÉLIX VARELA CULTURAL CENTER
Tacón e/ Chacón y Empedrado Telf. 7 862 8790
It was established by the Jesuits in the year 1721 and since then it became one of the main centers of Cuban enlightenment, recognized as a training academy for the great minds of national patriotic thought as Félix Varela and José de la Luz y Caballero. It currently hosts the Father Félix Varela Cultural Center, where various activities of a secular and religious nature are carried out.
CORTINA DE VALDÉS
Located just at the entrance of the old seminary, it shows an archaeological excavation that revealed the foundations of the sea wall that was in this area, as well as several pieces of heavy artillery that were located there.
PLAZUELA DE LA MAESTRANZA Cuba, Tacón and Chacón.
The remains of the Havana Maestranza were found in 1984 when the office of the city's historian searched for the remains of the first fortification of the city known as La Fuerza Vieja, when instead the basilot furnace bases among other structures emerged of this military phalanstery that since 1846 was located in the old barracks of the San Telmo militia and the first cannon foundry of the 17th century. Currently the site is part of the great theme park of the Sea Wall.
PALACIO DE MATEO PEDROSO Y FLORENCIA, PALACE OF HANDICRAFTS
Cuba No. 64 e/ Tacón y Peña Pobre Built in Moorish style around 1780, it has the typical architecture of the houses of the period, with shops on the ground floor, spaces for slaves on the mezzanine and the main rooms on the second floor. It currently hosts several stores and boutiques, as well as a small café in the courtyard set with traditional music.
7 PLAZA DE LA CATEDRAL
Named initially as Plazuela de la Ciénaga, for the swampy ground with underground springs in which it was located. In 1587 a cistern was built in its center, but it was not until the following century that the area was drained. Towards the end of the 17th century, the Díaz Pimienta family settled in the area under whose auspices the first Havana ships were assembled. The current appearance dates back to the 18th century, at which time some houses such as Luis Chacón, the first Cuban who ruled the city, began to appear. Island in the early eighteenth century.
Towards the end of the century the church built by the Jesuits in the area was exalted to the status of Cathedral, which led to the square acquired the name of Cathedral Square in 1793. Today it is one of the most visited and photographed places in the Capital, besides being the setting for important dinners and artistic shows.
8 CATEDRAL DE SAN CRISTÓBAL DE LA HABANA
Empedrado No. 156
Telf. 7 861 7771
Located on the north side of the square, it is commonly known as the Columbus Cathedral. Its construction was initiated by the Jesuits in 1748 and after the expulsion of the order in 1767 by King Carlos III, in 1773 the Parroquial Mayor was transferred to this place. The temple was completely finished in 1777 and by royal decree in 1793 it was designated Cathedral. In 1814, under the influence of the currents of Enlightened Despotism, Bishop Juan José Díaz de Espada y Landa ordered to modify the baroque interior of the Cathedral taking its current neoclassical appearance. For the realization of the original frescoes, the Italian artist Giuseppe Perovani was hired, but they were subsequently restored and renovated by Jean Baptista de Vermay.
There they rested from 1796 to 1898 the remains of Christopher
Columbus Moved to Havana from Santo Domingo and subsequently taken to Spain. The temple keeps the main image of San Cristóbal, patron saint of the town and protector of travelers, dating from 1633.
CASA DE LOS CONDES DE PEÑALVER, WILFREDO LAM CENTER
San Ignacio No. 22, esq. Empedrado Telf. 7 861 2096 Contemporary art center that shows the work of famous artists from Cuba and Latin America. The institution studies and promotes contemporary art around the world.
9 LA BODEGUITA DEL MEDIO
Empedrado No. 207, e/ San Ignacio y Cuba
Telf. 7 867 1374
Former winery belonging to the Spanish immigrant Ángel Martínez where food and drink was served, it is said that a visit to Havana is not complete if this place is not visited. It has a fret bar and a restaurant in the back, where many visitors can enjoy the Mojito drink while listening to Cuban music.
Its walls are adorned by paintings and posters from past decades, as well as by the signatures and messages that its visitors leave as a souvenir of their stay. Among the most famous messages is one attributed to the American writer Ernest Hemingway "My mojito in the Bodeguita, my daiquiri in the Floridita".
CASA DE LOS MARQUESES DE AGUAS CLARAS
San Ignacio No. 54, esq. Empedrado Telf. 7 867 1034
Splendid mansion built in the sixteenth century by Captain General Gonzalo Pérez de Angulo and since then other elements were added. Currently the porch is occupied by a Café, while the inner courtyard and other rooms are occupied by the Patio Restaurant. On its second-floor visitors can admire splendid views of the square, as well as its beautiful stained-glass windows.
CALLEJÓN DEL CHORRO
Small alley where the Zanja Real once flowed, the first aqueduct built in the 16th century, which provided drinking water to the city bringing it from the Almendares river 10 km away. Currently there are numerous restaurants and galleries.
CASA DE BAÑOS, GALERÍA VÍCTOR MANUEL
San Ignacio No. 56
Telf. 7 861 2955 Although its appearance seems old, the building was built in the twentieth century following the canons of Cuban colonial architecture, where formerly was the cistern of the square. The building currently houses the Víctor Manuel Gallery where you can buy fine pieces of jewelry and other artistic and utilitarian objects.
TALLER EXPERIMENTAL DE GRÁFICA CALLEJÓN DEL CHORRO
Telf. 7 864 7622 Development and teaching center for different engraving techniques, where you can see artists in full swing and acquire excellent pieces by renowned Cuban artists.
10 CASA DEL CONDE DE BAYONA, MUSEO DE ARTE COLONIAL
San Ignacio No. 61
Telf. 7 862 6440
Perfect example of the houses of Havana merchants with stairs to the side and the characteristic mezzanine. It was built around 1720 by Captain General Don Luis Chacón. In the decade of the 30th of the last century it hosted the Havana Club Bar, mentioned in Graham Greene's novel "Our Man in Havana". It is currently occupied by the Museum of Colonial Art, which recreates the interior environment of a colonial aristocratic house. One of its rooms is dedicated to the colorful stained-glass windows of the city.
11 CASA DEL MARQUÉS DE ARCOS
Mercaderes No. 16 e/ O´reilly y Empedrado
From the square you can see the back of the house whose entrance is located on Mercaderes street. Current cultural center that houses