Havana: Highlights

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Havana Highlights

Habana Vieja

Castillo del Morro

The Castllo del Morro, an impressive castle with spectacular view over the city, has become one of the major attractions and symbols of Havana. Building started in 1589 and was completed forty years later.

The Plaza de Armas is situated in the eastern part of the old city. The square in La Habana Viega is surrounded by magnificent buildings. You should take time to visit the 18th century Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (in which the interesting Museo de la Ciudad is harboured), the Palacio de los Condes de Santovenia, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (the oldest castle in Havana, which holds the Museo de la Ceramica Artistica Cubana) and El Templete (a 19th century temple).

Castillo de la Real Fuerza

The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a fortress, originally built between 1558 and 1577 to protect the city against invading pirates. It did not keep its function for very long, as it was to far from the coastline. It was destroyed in 1582. King Felipe II of Spain ordered a new fortress to be built, designed by Bartolomé Sánchez. The newest building ideas of the renaissance were included. It was completely built by black slaves and financed by Mexican resources. It was also far ahead of its time and the strongest building in Cuba. Centuries after, it mainly served as accommodation to Spanish governors and military.

Plaza de Armas

Museo de la Ciudad

The Museo de la Ciudad can be found inside the impressive Palacio de los Capitanes Generales at the Plaza de Armas, which dates from 1776. The building itself is worth a visit in its own right. Before the museum was situated here, it served as residence to Spanish generals and military governors of the US, as well as presidential palace. It is a museum since 1968 and it boasts beautiful interior decorations and a somewhat mysterious crypt.

Catedral de San Cristóbal de la Havana

This beautiful cathedral is one of the city's major attractions. The impressive Baroque façade, after a design from Italian architect Francesco Borromini, leaves no one untouched and at night spreads a magical atmosphere over the square. The cathedral dates from 1748, when Jesuits started its construction. It was finished in 1787, but not by the Jesuits themselves, as they were forced to leave the city in 1767. Today, it is still the oldest building on the American continent.

Bodeguita del Medio

For a traditional Mojito, perhaps followed by a traditional Cuban dish, visiting La Bodeguita del Medio is a must. Sr. Angel Martines-Borroto opened the small bodega in 1942. It quickly became a hot spot for Cuban artists and musicians. But not just Cuba's most famous drank their mojitos here, worldwide acclaimed celebrities like Errol Flynn and, of course, writer Ernest Hemingway, sipped their drinks in the bodega. All of them scribbled something on its walls to immortalize themselves. There are also a lot of photographs. Inside, little has changed since the opening in 1942.

El Capitolio Nacional

This impressive piece of architecture is something you just cannot get around! It dates from 1929 and was originally intended as the seat of the Cuban Chamber and Senate. Its resemblance to the Capitol in Washington D.C. is remarkable, due to its gigantic dome which dominates the cities skyline. Inside, there are a couple of major attractions, one of them La Republica, the largest bronze burial statue in the world. You will also find the most extensive natural history collection of the country here.

Museo de la Revolución

The former presidential palace in Havana today houses the Museo de la Revolución. The impressive palace dates from 1920. Especially the Salon de Espejos, the mirror hall, is worth a look. The museum is completely dedicated to the revolution. It starts with the Spanish-American war at the end of the 19th century and ends with the fall of dictator Batista. Actually, an attempt on Batista's life was made, right in this very building, the bullet holes still visible. In front of the building rests a Russian tank, used by Fidel during the American invasion of Pig's Bay.

Behind it is Granma's 'shrine', the yacht that landed Fidel Castro, Che Guévara, Camilo Cienfuegos and other revolutionaries in Cuba from Mexico in 1956.

Centro Habana

Cigar factory Partagás

Here you will find out everything you always wanted to know about the production of these highly expensive cigars, which are available in the shop.

Vedado

Malecon

The Malecón is a large boulevard stretching from Havana Bay to Habana Vieja. It is part of the city's soul and intricately entwined with it. Couples savour romantic moments, fishermen calmly perform their daily routine, teenagers stroll up and down and tourists enjoy the atmospheric spectacle. Building started at the start of the 20th century and took about 20 years. Passing by some impressive architecture along the way is part of the deal. With strong winds, waves break onto the wall with great force, a magnificent fight between nature and city.

Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón

The majestic gate on entering the Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón already warns you that this is not just an ordinary cemetary you are visiting. The beauty of this burial place is famous all over the Latin-American continent. Not without reason. It dates from 1876 and contains more than a million graves, most of them covered by stones from famous Cuban sculptors.

At graveyards, offerings are presented to local gods, so you will often find colourful fetishes next to the graves. There is also a miracle legend connected to this graveyard that tells of a mother who died during birth and was buried in a second grave next to her child. When the skeletons were dug up however, they were both found to be in the same grave. Ever since, it has been a holy shrine to Catholics.

Plaza de la Revolución

With its 72,000m2, the Plaza de la Revolución is one of the largest city squares in the world. It is impressive, but not really beautiful. It is here that Fidel Castro addressed more than a million Cubans every year, until he was struck ill. Around the square there are a number of government buildings, including the presidential offices.

The square is dominated by the monument for José Martí, a 109 meters high tower, the highest construction in the city, with an 18 meters high statue of the national hero who fought for the independence of his country. Opposite is the Ministry of Interior Affairs with the well known face of Ché Guevara and his famous words ‘Hasta la Victoria Siempre’.