Havana

Places of Interest - Cuba

introduction

Havana is the vibrant, chaotic, polluted major capital of Cuba and the city has several highlights as historic buildings, museums and fortresses. Havana can actually be divided into three urban districts; the first is the almost undamaged oldest district Havana Vieja - standing on the UNESCO World Heritage list and a must see. Centrum Havana is a neighborhood with buildings in various architectural styles and has got buildings built between 1890 and 1940.

Vedado is the third district and literally means "forbidden" because in the 16th century it was not allowed to build here. This was the neighborhood that caused a furore during the Batista era - wide avenues, large houses and grand buildings. This district also has got the most shops, offices and political (important) buildings such as embassies and here you will also find the large boulevard street Malecon.

The Capitol is the real center of the city built in 1929 to the White House model in Washington DC. Strange to see the classic American cars driving here, next to the coco taxis in the lion's den. A visit to the museum of the Revolution is a must to understand something of the Cuba of today, but also a visit to at least one of the colonial fortresses of Havana is recommended.

highlights

Havana Vieja:

The Havana Vieja has been a UNESCO site since 1982 and is nowadays a very touristy but beautiful colonial center full of squares, narrow small alleys and streets, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Highlights are the Plaza de Cathedral, a very well-arranged romantic square with a beautiful cathedral and a large open terrace where you can drink a cold beer and enjoy people passing by.

Another "must see" is the Plaza de Armas; the military stronghold that was located here for 400 years. On the edge of this square is the oldest fort in the city and here are also the roots of Havana. Plaza Vieja is the last square you should have seen - heavily renovated and built in the 16th century. In the small streets you will also find the most famous café in the city - Bodeguita del Medio.

Fort Cabana:

The forts full name is actually Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana and this fort was built between 1763 and 1774 and is one of the largest (colonial) forts of the Americas. Reason for the construction was the rapid elimination of the other Spanish fort El Morro by the English – and the Spaniards thought this time it would be different.

The dictators Batista and also Machado used it as a prison and Che Guevara took it into use immediately after winning the Revolution to establish its headquarters here. Now it is a museum and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city skyline in addition to seeing it.

Other attractions:

The cemetery, Malecon boulevard, Capitolo and the Bodeguita del Medio.

Havana-Cuba-Classic-American-Cars-Street-Fort-Cabana-Spanish

history

The city of Havana had already been moved twice before the city was founded in 1519 on the current spot. The rocky bay provided better protection than the sandy marshlands on the south coast.

In 1607 Havana became the capital of the colony of Cuba and not much later the city became the most important port city of the Spaniards in the new world despite the fact that it never intended to become the capital of Cuba. In 1538 the city was completely burned down by pirates and Havana was looted several times before the Spaniards decided to build some forts in the city for protection between 1558 and 1630.

Despite building a large city wall, Havana was captured by the English during the 7-year war and occupied for 11 months. As a result, the international trade of Cuba gained momentum, which after the exchange for Florida resulted in even more prosperity. The city was once again fortified (this time the fortress "Cabana" was built) and Havana became the heaviest defensive city of the Americas. At the end of the nineteenth century, Cuba became independent, when the Spaniards left the island thanks to the efforts of the Americans (Spanish-American War).

The influence of America continued until the Cuban Revolution in 1959, when the US-backed dictator Batista fled the island and Fidel Castro and his rebels took over. He closed or nationalized most of the American companies in Cuba, which were doing business especially since the reclamation in the 1920s. Havana was then a popular resort for Americans.

tips & advice (2013)

To the airport: you can take the local bus (P12) from the Parque El Curita.

TIP: But do not take this bus in the evening or at night because it’s not safe (for tourists).

Name: Museo de la Revolucion

Address: Refugio

Price: 7 CUC

Phone nr. : 862 4093

Content:

Located in a beautiful colonial building that served as the Presidential Palace at the beginning of the 20th century, here are three floors full of photos, information, attributes and everything you want to know about the Revolution(s) in Cuba. A few things have also been written about the time after the Revolution in which the whole old system was demolished. I may even say that I found it too much information and that it was explained in a rather old-fashioned way, but there is no question of any propaganda.

On the ground floor you can see the rooms where the then leader Batista and his ministers ruled the country. There is even an entrance to a secret tunnel. On the other side of the building in a large glass building the famous Revolution boat the Granma was put down but you can not enter the house. There are also some tanks and other vehicles lined up including a piece of aircraft that was from an American aviator; America denied 19 years to have something to do with the invasion and in this way the body could not be "returned" to the USA.

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Paladar Amistad de Lanzarote - perhaps a bit pricey for a paladares but sometimes you just want to tickle yourself. Here you can let that happen. For 10 CUC you have a fantastic meal in a quality restaurant in a side street in the district Vedado. The nearby paladar Bellamar charges about 13 CUC per meal on average.

Name: hostal Vladimir & Yammi

Address: Avenida 20 de Mayo # 428 apt 25

Price: 9 CUC (breakfast = 4 CUC)

Content:

It is a room in an apartment on the 9th floor of a high apartment building. There are three rickety bunk beds and next to the room is a spacious bathroom with toilet. Breakfast is served on the spacious balcony. The "hosts" are very friendly and helpfull. The disadvantage is that the hostel is quite a bit out of the center.

Name: hostal Juan Carlos

Address: Crespo 107, 1st floor

Price: 15 CUC (excluding toilet and shower)

Phone nr. : 53 7 863 6301

Email: juancarlospena98@yahoo.es

Content:

A perfectly situated hostel between the district Vedado and the old city and very close to museum of the Revolution. It is on the first floor and there are three rooms. The disadvantage is that you have to share the toilet and shower with the other two rooms. In addition, one room is located next to the breakfast room and the other are only shared by a door; so a bit noisy.

At the front of the property is a beautiful colonial front room with a small balcony. Breakfast is a must (and cheap - 3 CUC) and dinner is also offered.

Havana

Places of Interest - Cuba

introduction

highlights

history

tips & advice (2013)

see also:

LANDEN: