Destinations And Sightseeing

A. Havana

Havana, the capital city of Cuba has much to offer. The city's resplendent Spanish colonial architecture, harmonious music, sun-splashed tranquil beaches and interesting museums attract a large number of tourists each year.

1. Old Square / Plaza Vieja

Plaza Vieja was previously a bustling market place that dates back to the seventeenth century. The site is enveloped by beautiful arcades, many of them with colored glasses and windows with louvers. The assortment of unique buildings on this plaza responds to 17th, 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. Jaruco Mansion is one of the most attractive buildings at the plaza. Several ongoing rehabilitation programs have rescued many outstanding buildings such as the Santo Angel School or the Café Taberna where attractive restaurants have been installed. Palacio Cueto, one of the most significant Art Nouveau exponents in the city, has now been rehabilitated for a hotel.

2. Arms Square / Plaza de Armas

The Arms Square or the Plaza de Armas is situated by the harbor's entrance channel, close to the site where Havana was founded. The most inspiring landmarks at the plaza are the Palaces of the Captain General and Second Corporal or Segundo Cabo, both from the 18th century. The 16th century military exponent called the Force Fortress, the small Neoclassical temple or Templete constructed to commemorate the foundation of the town and the and the glorious Santa Isabel Hotel are other attractive sites at the plaza.

3. Plaza de San Francisco

The Plaza de San Francisco situated by the harbor is one of the most attractive spots in Havana. The site was once presided by the 18th century Franciscan Convent. The gracious Fountain of Lions and cobbled pavements embrace the plaza. The recently renovated Stock Exchange Building or Lonja de Comercio has been installed with the Mercurio Restaurant. The Café del Oriente and various shops around the plaza are other results of the ongoing rehabilitation programs. The enormous former customs building from 1914 lies just in front between the waterfront and the Plaza.

4. Cathedral Square / Plaza de la Catedral

The Cathedral Square or the Plaza de la Catedral was the last square built within the city walls, and surrounded by amazing 18th century mansions. Most of them contain arcaded galleries and balconies, among the finest examples of Cuban Colonial architecture. Numerous museums, art galleries and shopping establishments have been installed on this plaza.

The Cathedral of 1777 has a stunning facade of an Italian influence, and is the focal element at the plaza. This impressive structure is considered the most relevant Cuban Baroque building.

5. The Capitol / Capitolio

Encouraged by the impressive Neoclassical Revival of the Washington Capitol, the Capitolio, situated at Prado Avenue, was inaugurated in 1929 as the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate of the Republic. The monumental spaces at the Capitolio like the so-called Hall of the Lost Paths, are now used by the Academy of Science, Technology and Environment, the Science Library and the Felipe Poey National Museum of Natural History. The inspiring bronze sculpture named ‘The Republic' has been placed at the main entrance site.

6. The Morro - Cabaña Historical Military Park

Until 1762, Havana had been an impenetrable fortress against the attacks from corsairs and pirates. However, in 1762 the British ravaged the city of Havana strongly scaring the Spanish crown. The Spaniards managed to regain control and concluded that they required reinforcing their defenses. One of the most powerful fortresses at the time, San Carlos de la Cabaña and the older Morro Castle make up the Morro. The project was completed at the end of the 18th century.

The site has been rehabilitated to form the Cabaña Historical Military Park, the largest museum in the country. Two permanent exhibitions display the history of navigation in Havana Harbor with exhibits of objects salvaged from a ship that sank at the harbor's entrance in the 18th century. The Park also hosts temporary exhibits based on different themes.

A cannon is shot every evening at 9 pm at La Cabaña continuing a longstanding tradition related to the colonial times when the closing of the city's doors was thus announced. From the Morro and La Cabaña Castles, visitors can enjoy privileged views of the other side of the town, the harbor and its impressive entrance channel along with romantic sunsets.

7. San Salvador de la Punta Fortress

In front of the Morro Castle on the opposite side of the harbor's entrance channel is the San Salvador de la Punta Fortress. The fortress, along with other minor ones on the coastline, was constructed between 1589 and 1630 by the Italian Engineer Juan Bautista Antonelli as part of the Caribbean defensive system. An educational museum on Nautical Archaeology has been unveiled here after the full restoration of the Castle.

B. Trinidad

Trinidad is one of the first seven villages established in the 16th century by the Spaniards in Cuba. Trinidad greatly developed during the 18th century as a result of the foundation of the sugar industry. But when this source of wealth corroded in the middle of the 19th century, the town and the nearby Valley of the Sugar Mills were frozen in time. Far from the rest of the island, between the sea and the mountains, Trinidad has preserved as a sophisticated vernacular complex of buildings and an atypical urban structure with narrow pebbled streets and gracious plazas. The historic sector of Trinidad is possibly one of the best-preserved in Latin America. Due to its exceptional values and high level of preservation, it was inducted into the list of World Heritage Sites in 1988. While many of the old palaces and houses have been restored and are now occupied by cultural or tourism services, numerous families still enjoy living in their own traditional homes.

The Valley of Sugar Mills or Valle de los Ingenios was inscribed in the World Heritage list along with Trinidad and owes its name to the numerous sugar plantations located in the area. Presently, some of these plantations such as the Manacas Iznaga or Guaimaro have been preserved while others have been improvised upon, as archaeological sites.

An intangible collection of ancestral songs, dances and legends related to the times of slavery has persisted at the Manacas Iznaga Plantation. An authentic Cuban cuisine restaurant has been installed in the Plantation House. You will also find many craftspeople that make a living from selling handmade tablecloths and clothes.

C. Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos city in Cuba is situated near the Jagua or Cienfuegos Bay on the Central Southern coast of the island. The city was established by a Frenchman, Louis de Clouet, along with fifty other immigrant colonists from Bordeaux and Louisiana in 1819. The large Central houses the austere Cathedral and the Tomas Terry Theater as well as some priceless houses from the 19th century with galleries and colonnades. Other eclectic examples like the Town Hall and the Palacio Ferrer are also a significant part of this charming place. On the Park is the recently inaugurated Palatino Café where visitors can enjoy a nice drink. You can enjoy an interesting walk in the Paseo del Prado and be fascinated by its 19th and early 20th century buildings.

Punta Gorda, by the seashore overlooking the bay, is a unique and charming neighborhood of wooden residences. The Palacio de Valle (Valle Palace), a former aristocratic residence, designed in Neo Moorish style is located nearby and now houses a restaurant. Recently, the ritzy Jagua Hotel, a modern classic from the fifties has been fully refurbished. Other attractions in the city are the Colonial Fortress on the Bay, a couple of historic cemeteries and the Atkins Botanic Gardens founded by Harvard University.

D. Santiago de Cuba

Diego Velázquez founded the city of Santiago de Cuba in 1515. The city was Cuba's capital in the first half of the 16th century and was the official residence of the Spanish rulers. In 1553, the official residence was shifted to Havana. In order to guard the city against the attacks of corsairs and pirates, in 1633 the Spanish authorities initiated the construction of a defensive system of which the Morro Castle and the cannon pieces of La Socapa and La Estrella are still standing.

Santiago's Morro Castle is an ingenious combination of both man-made and natural elements. The castle is located on a steep hill descending to the sea, and is enlisted as a World Heritage Site.