Old Havana, The Heart Of The Capital Of Cuba
Cuba, a corner in the Caribbean flavored with sauce and sugar cane. At the heart of this dazzling island is its capital: the city of Havana. One of the neighborhoods with the most history in the city is the well-known Old Havana. Its surface covers around 5 km², but there is room for a lot of tradition.
This is a space for culture, where a walk becomes a delight for the senses. Charming alleys, squares brimming with memories and emblematic buildings to the sound of an old trova. Old Havana is an area where you can get lost and find yourself in one of its clubs enjoying the best rum.
Old Havana: historical area
The oldest district of the city is a reflection of various architectural styles due to its history. The city was under the influence of Spanish, English, French and American cultures. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find colonial structures or neoclassical facades. All of them surrounded by a wall for two centuries, demolished in the mid-nineteenth century. For all this, Old Havana was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Currently it is one of the most tourist areas due to its history and the human quality of its people. Its cosmopolitan nature is the perfect environment for the different fairs, markets, concerts and festivals held within it. Stalls of fruit, trinkets or second-hand jewelry crowd its cobbled sidewalks. With melancholy as a veteran neighbor, the neighborhood invites you to a romantic walk with a bolero playing in the background.
Emblematic places of Old Havana
1. Strengths of the island
The old town of Havana is structured around four important fortresses. The first of them is located on a cliff, it is the Castillo del Morro. Dating from the 16th century, it had a strong defensive character and its tower is currently used as a lighthouse.
From the same period is the simple fort of San Salvador de La Punta, at the entrance to the bay. Entering it, the two main citadels are located. The Royal Force of Havana houses the oldest bronze sculpture on the island, a symbol of the city. Finally, the Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña rises, the largest military building of Spanish origin in America. This imposing bastion also houses the International Book Fair of Havana.
These four castles are an example and pride of Cuban history.
2. A cultural walk
Strolling through Havana is a pleasure for lovers of low-cost hedonism. The multiplicity of architectural styles make the Old Havana neighborhood the perfect district to get lost. The echoes of the tourist’s footsteps will be returned by the impressive facades of palaces and colonial houses. Neoclassicism and modernity go hand in hand in the Cuban capital.
Squares such as the Cathedral or the Armas, two of the most important on the island, are incredible. But in the Old Havana district there is also a place for art. The National Museum of Fine Arts is public and houses the largest collection of Cuban art. In addition, the visitor will be able to find interesting pieces from the European schools and ancient art.
3. A divine corner
In the heart of Old Havana we find the wonderful cathedral. The temple is Catholic and was built in the 18th century, in the Baroque style. With two lateral bell towers, the sanctuary calls for prayer echoing through the adjacent alleys.
But not only the façade is a unique artistic sample. The interior floor is made of marble and the altar is covered with goldsmith work. In addition, in its bosom the tourist can visit several relics, tabernacles and sanctuaries of illustrious figures of Cuban history. In the vicinity of the cathedral there are mansions of the colonial nobility of Havana.
