Old Havana Web

Called San Francisco because of the convent next to it, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. For many years it also served to stockpile the goods arriving from the harbor. Chronicles of the time say that the square had a busy commercial life.

The first known public square of Havana was located on the spot that, later on in the 16th century, was occupied by the Castillo de la Real Fuerza. To place it, they took an adjoining lot to the south where at the time there was some poor housing. Some acts from that period (between 1559 and 1577) consign that the square was large, clean and that it was known as Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square) because it was next to the Parroquial Mayor (Main Parish Church).

The main objective of this institution is to preserve research and promote the historical legacy of the wise German Alejandro Humboldt. It was inaugurated by the Office of the Historian of Havana in October 31st, 1997, in a 18th century building.

This gunsmith’s shop, founded in 1934 under the name of Gunsmith Company of Cuba, was attacked on April 9, 1958 by members of the July 26 Movement led by Fidel Castro as part of the actions to overthrow Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship.

Only inferior to a similar one in New York, the Scale Model of Havana is, due to its dimensions, the second largest in the world. The 727 square kilometers of the city are represented in relief in an area of 22 meters of length and 10 meters of width.

A beautiful small palace built at the beginning of XX century, with a elaborated prevalence of the eclecticism with neoclassical elements. The house was in its time center of interesting gatherings of outstanding artists like Federico García Lorca, Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, Eduardo Zamacois, María Guerrero and the musician René Dumesnil.

Nestle in a cane armchair to drink your mojito to the sounds of live Cuban music.

Pillars, beadings and wood trim give a 19 th century feel to this extremely elegant café.

It is a difficult to find a table in this bar, popular with both locals and tourists.

A patio with a checkered blue and green carpet sheltered by pergola.