You may have plenty of time to stroll along pristine beaches during your Cuban holiday, but did you know about Cuba’s historic architecture? A visit to a bigger city such as Havana, Santiago, Cienfuegos, and many others, should include a tour around the most famous architectural and historic districts.
Cuba’s Architecture in a Nutshell
Architecture in Cuba has mostly been influenced by the Spanish, who came here at the beginning of the 16th century. Cuba was ruled by Spain for the next four centuries, which resulted in a period of colonial architecture. This was followed by the neoclassical and baroque styles that came in during the 18th century and then by the Art Deco period of the early 20th century.
Given Cuba’s prosperity at the beginning of the 20th century, funding for architectural projects increased, while political changes led to numerous public architectural masterpieces. The best colonial architecture can be seen in the Old Havana district or the town of Trinidad. The typical Cuban Baroque is featured in the Cathedral of Havana design, while Cienfuegos is full of neoclassical buildings.
Cuba’s Colonial Architecture
Some of the best-known theatres, mansions, and castles in Cuba are declared world heritage sites by UNESCO and happen to be colonial in style. Spanish rule brought about buildings similar to those in Seville or Granada, while there are examples of prominent military architecture such as the Havana fortress or Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta.
Old Havana
Havana was originally founded by a Spanish conquistador in the 16th century. Old Havana refers to the historical part of the city, also known as Habana Vieja. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 as the most impressive historical city centre in the Caribbean. The best way to get to know this district is to visit its five colonial squares.
Plaza de Armas, where the city of Havana was born in 1519, is the oldest one. The nearby Palacio del Segundo Cabo will welcome you with a statue of Columbus on its patio. Plaza de la Catedral is the spiritual heart of the city and one of the most photographed places. Plaza de San Francisco de Asis is founded in 1628 with a picturesque fountain in the middle, while Plaza Vieja and Plaza del Cristo will provide the view of the pastel facades and nice rooftop terraces Old Havana is known for.
Havana Cathedral
Catedral de San Cristóbal, better known as Havana Cathedral, is situated in Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana. Built between 1748 and 1777, this cathedral was the place where Christopher Columbus’ remains were kept before being buried at the Seville Cathedral.
The Cathedral’s baroque front is constructed out of blocks of coral, showing fossilized marine fauna and flora in the stone walls. The cathedral contains a number of sculptures and paintings, such as copies of Rubens and Murillo’s works.
Plaza Mayor, Trinidad
The Main Square or Plaza Mayor in Trinidad is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Cuba. It is the historic centre of Trinidad with a few important 18th and 19th-century colonial buildings, reminders of the great riches of the period. The square is surrounded by pastel-coloured houses and cobbled streets with small gardens and white wrought-iron fences.
La Casa de Los Conspiradores overlooks the square and was once the meeting place of one of the Cuban nationalist secret societies.
You should also pay a visit to Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima, the 19th-century Church of the Holy Trinity. Its wooden statue of Christ was destined for a church in Mexico but the ship was driven back to Trinidad three times due to bad weather.
Another spot on your list should be the Casa de Aldemán Ortiz, who became Mayor of Trinidad. It shows many of the typical features of local houses with a large entrance door and a terracotta tiled roof.
San Pedro de la Roca, Santiago de Cuba
Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca is located about 10 km southwest of Santiago de Cuba. Being declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, the fortress is considered the best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture. The large fort was designed in the early 1600s, while the construction of the citadel took 62 years to finish.
Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos
Palcio De Valle Cienfuegos
The Historic Centre of Cienfuegos was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005 because of its neoclassical architecture. The town is famous for being the best example of early 19th-century Spanish urban planning. Some of its famous structures are the Arch of Triumph and the Jagua Fortress, located at the Port of Cienfuegos. The Theatre Tomas Terry is another Cienfuegos gem you shouldn’t miss.
Historic Centre of Camagüey
The Historic Centre of Camagüey features an irregular urban layout with an unusual system of squares and allies. Camagüey is a city in central Cuba and was one of the seven original settlements founded by the Spanish. After it was burned in the 17th century, the town was redesigned like a maze to confuse potential invaders.
Cuba’s Iconic Landmarks
There are a few other architectural landmarks of Cuba one should consider visiting. Such is the National Capitol Building or El Capitolio, which was built in the 1920s and is located in Havana. Prior to the Revolution in 1959, the Congress was housed here. El Capitolio is visually similar to the one in the United States, but it is one meter taller.
Another famous place to see is Revolution Square, where all the important post-revolutionary public gatherings took place in Havana. The 109-meter memorial centre dedicated to the national hero José Martí is also located here.
One of the modern Cuban landmarks is situated in Santa Clara, featuring a big sculpture of Ernesto Che Guevara. The famous revolutionary hero is buried here, and the museum houses many of his belongings.
The bottom line
Cuba’s architecture is a marvel to see and contains valuable information about the island’s history and culture. You can trace Cuba’s past in the cobbled streets of Havana and Trinidad or the majestic fort in Santiago de Cuba.
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