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Havana or 'La Habana' in Spanish, a city which makes you want to go back in time to when time seemed slower and the living was easy... La Habana is old American cars, cigars, rum, jineteros and la vida Habanera.
Live music is everywhere, and the Habaneros are performing in order to earn their daily dosis of convertible pesos so that they can buy what they need at the dollar stores to take care of their families.
Havana is probably the most splendid example of Spanish colonial architecture in Latin America. Much of the historic centre has been carefully restored. The absence of the outward manifestations of international commerce - advertising billboards, burger chains, neon lights - helps create a subtle and haunting atmosphere missing in the other capitals of the Spanish colonial domain. Museums, forts and lively squares add to the attraction. |
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| Havana Vieja (Old Havana) |
This area has the most colonial buildings and is the most visited area for tourists who visit Havana but it's also its most beautiful spot. Foreigners walking through the streets getting hustled by jineteros, taking pictures or just having a beer.
Habana's Vieja is famous for the Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana at the Plaza de la Catedral and for Hemingway's bar, 'La Bodeguita del Medio', where you can buy an expensive mojito. You can also visit the beer factory situated in Plaza Vieja for great lunch and beer made in the premises which has become a very popular place to visit. |
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| El Malecon |
| It's a spectacular view to see the waves attacking the famous boulevard 'El Malecon'. The Malecon is the place where lovers walk along the colourful boulevard hand in hand. |
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| Morro - Cabaña Historical Military Park |
This fortress, together with Morro Castle (Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro), make up the Morro - Cabaña Historical Military Park, the most extensive museum in the country. Morro Castle is, in itself, a museum piece that reveals the solutions of renaissance architecture applied to military strategy.
When Havana was a walled city, every night at 9.00pm La Cabaña fortress would fire one of its cannon to announce the closing of the doors, a tradition preserved by the people of Havana to this very day.
The impressive view from Morro Castle or La Cabaña takes in the entire harbour and the skyline of the city.
Open: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 9pm.
Daily: 9.00pm Cannon Ceremony
Carretera de la Cabaña on the far side of the harbour entrance. |
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| Castillo San Salvador de la Punta |
This small fortress at the western entry point to the harbour played a crucial role in the defence of Havana during the first centuries of colonisation. Built in the 16th century, the four-sided construction gives visitors coming into Old Havana from the port an idea of the architecture this area of town has in store for them. The fortress still houses some twenty old guns and other military antiques.
Esquina de Prado y Malecón, Habana Vieja |
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| Capitolio Nacional |
Built in 1929 as the Senate and House of Representatives (and said to be a replica of Washington DC's Capitol), this colossal building is recognisable by its dome which dominates the city's skyline. Inside stands the largest indoor bronze statue in the world representing Pallas Athena.
Nowadays Museo Nacional de Historia Natural (the National Museum of Natural History) is located within the building. It contains the largest natural history collection in the country.
In the surrounding areas of the Capitol, there are a few attractions worth visiting, among them, the Partagás cigar factory, the Parque Central (Central Park), and the Teatro Nacional (National Theathre) with its baroque façade.
Admission: 3 CUC
Calle Paseo del Prado
e/Calle Dragones y Calle San Jose Disabled access is available. |
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| Catedral de San Cristóbal |
This is Old Havana's classic cathedral. The plaza fronting the cathedral and the church's baroque facade, with its asymmetrical towers, are the most visited attractions in Habana Vieja. Inside, the cathedral is simple, almost to the point of austerity, thanks to a radical 19th-century neoclassical makeover. Still, the vaulted ceilings, massive stone pillars, and modest collection of art and antiquities certainly make it worth a visit.
Of these, the 17th-century wooden sculpture of Saint Christopher is quite interesting, note the shortened legs, which were cut in order to get the piece into place. Despite the official visiting hours listed below, the church is frequently closed tight. If you're lucky, you might be able to attend a mass here at 8pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday, or at 10.30am on Sunday.
Calle Empedrado 156
Plaza de la Catedral
La Habana Vieja
Tel: 7/861-7771 |
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| El Cristo de La Habana |
Havana's statue of Christ blesses the city from the other side of the bay much like the famous Cristo del Corcovado in Rio de Janeiro. Carved from marble by Jilma Madera, it was erected in 1958 on a platform which makes a wonderful spot from which to watch the sun go down.
You can reach the statue by road, or via the picturesque boat which crosses the bay. A 24 hour snack bar operates at the base.
Loma de Casablanca |
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| Partagas Cigar Factory |
Founded in 1845 Partagas is Cuba's largest and perhaps most renowned cigar factory producing around 5 million cigars a year. The off-yellow and rust-trimmed neoclassical facade is resplendent in the Havana morning sunlight.
Official tours are only offered at 10am and 2pm daily, although you can sometimes work your way into one of the many tour groups that come through all day long.
Throughout the day, you can stop in and buy cigars from their well-stocked shop,
Calle Industria 524
Behind the Capitolio
Centro Habana |
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| Plaza de Armas |
The Plaza de Armas Park is a large park and centre of local and tourist activities located in the heart of Old Havana. There is a beautiful water fountain in the middle of the square, some benches, trees from different parts of Cuba, including palm trees and a large variety of flowers. In the centre there is a statue of the Cuban patriot hero Cespedes.
The park is well lit by many gas lamps. In the daytime there are people selling Spanish books, many of which pertain to the Cuban revolution of 1959. In the evenings the park fills with life as many locals and tourists go to the restaurants and bars that surround the park and is a nice place to sit and enjoy the evening perhaps with a bottle of rum. The square is very safe as there are many police walking around 24 hours a day to provide assistance. |
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| El Templete |
The people of 19th century Havana inspired by the concept of origins and beginnings erected the Templete which is a monument that pays homage to the place where the foundation of the town of San Cristóbal de la Habana was celebrated in 1519.
The monument consists of bust of Christopher Colombus and three canvases painted by Juan Bautista Vermay. It is Neoclassic building, typical example of colonial architecture. In front of Templete, there is a column which replaces a silk-cotton tree, under which the first mass and the first Council of Havana were celebrated.
Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja |
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| La Muralla de La Habana |
Originally intended to afford Havana's citizens protection from marauding pirates and bandits they were constructed with several gates which were closed at night. With the expansion of the city, however, parts of the walls were demolished, starting as early as 1603, until only those sections standing today remained intact.
Habana Vieja |
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| Callejón de Hamel |
This project dating back to 1990 highlights the prevalence of African influences on Cuban culture. It was initiated by the sculptor and painter Salvador Gonzáles who, together with a group of friends, decided to paint a mural celebrating Afro-Cuban culture, reclaiming a public space as a forum for what they see as both a cultural example of community-based art.
A rumba group gathers at the spot at noon every Sunday at 12.00 and musicians as important as Clave y Guaguancó and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas have been known to attend. |
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| Local Markets |
Hided in the streets of Centro Havana you will find many little vegetable markets. They are a magnificent way to experience the life of real Cuba, seeing the Habaneros doing their daily groceries.
At these markets you can buy with Cuban pesos instead of the convertible pesos. |
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| China Town (Barrio Chino) |
Havana has an active Chinese community and a number of Chinese restaurants. The strip contains 10 restaurants that serve a full spectrum of Chinese dishes and their Cuban variations.
The food in the restaurants in Chinatown is excellent in both quality and price. These restaurants are private family owned businesses unlike most restaurants in Cuba that are government controlled. This results in a much greater concern to serve the customer. Meals are served within minutes of ordering and great attention is given to the preparation of the food.
You can enjoy an entire meal (with the exception of the more exotic dishes), including soup, fried rice, a main dish and a drink for no more than 4 CUC.
In the area bordered by Calles Dragones, Zanja, Rayo and San Nicolás in Centro Habana |
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