Havana is not only the capital of the state, but also a beautiful city, a city of contrasts. It harmoniously coexists with modern buildings and ancient architecture, long embankments and small town squares hidden from view between houses. All of them are the sights of Havana. And all of them require more detailed acquaintance. So let's get started.
Capitol
Perhaps, the description of the sights of Havana should begin with the Capitol. Despite the fact that it has a completely traditional look, when you look at it, you immediately remember another Capitol, located not so far away. Naturally, this refers to the building in which the US Congress is located.
The Havana Capitol is about three times the size of its counterpart in North America, giving the people of Cuba considerable pride. Since its construction in 1928, for thirty years, it housed the Cuban Parliament. It is currently used as a Congress Center and is open to the public. In addition, it houses the Ministry of Science, a history museum and a library.
Cathedral
The next in the list of attractions in Havana is the Cathedral. Images of this monumental structure adorns all tourist guides. It can be found on postcards and stamps, fridge magnets and various souvenirs. And absolutely right. Built of stone slabs, the colorful baroque building in the colonial style is called the decoration of Havana. It is located on Cienago Square and enjoys well-deserved fame not only in Cuba. The proof of this is the fact that this cathedral is recognized as one of the UNESCO sites.
Old Havana
The common name Old Havana means the historical center of this city with amazing architectural structures, many monuments in cozy streets and squares. Many of the sights of Havana are located here, the photos of which later decorate the albums of even the most demanding tourists from all over the Earth. Many of them visit Old Havana not only to take a selfie against the background of ancient architecture, but also for the opportunity to sit on the veranda of a small cafe, watching life boil around and imagining how the first Spanish settlers moved along these streets many years ago.
Undoubtedly, the main attractions of Old Havana are: the colorful square Catedral de San Cristobal, decorated in the Cuban baroque style, the fortress of La Fuerza and Plaza Vieja and Plaza de Armas. If you wish, you can climb the tower of Camera Obscurathirty-five meters, from where you can perfectly see the city and, having gone down, go to the bar La Bodeguita del Medio. Some of these places will be discussed in more detail below.
Boulevard Prado
One of the main streets of Havana, where life is in full swing around the clock, Prado Boulevard is rightfully considered. The quiet regularity of the day with artists and souvenir sellers is replaced by a bustling nightlife with songs and dances until the morning. Very conditionally, Prado Boulevard can be divided into four parts: the Central Park, the promenade, the Capitoline Esplanade, the Fraternidad park complex.
Hemingway House Museum
The indisputable decoration of the capital of Cuba is the house-museum of one of the greatest writers, journalist, Nobel laureate in literature known far beyond the island. Of course, this is Ernest Hemingway, author of The Old Man and the Sea. The house-museum is located in a small two-story building, located in a lush garden. From it you can enjoy the view of the coast, thanks to which the house has another name "House with a View". This house, built by a Spanish architect, was the writer's home for twenty years.
Malecon
The Malecon can rightfully be called the heart of Havana. In this very interesting place, the most important historical sights and monuments coexist quite harmoniously with the most fashionable Miramar Hotel. It is on this embankment that the famous carnival takes place in February. Cuban ensembles play here and locals walk along with tourists.
Fortress La-Fuersa
If we consider both American continents, then one of the most ancient defensive structures located in the city harbor is the Havana fortress of La Fuerza built in 1558. Despite the fact that during the period of its existence it has survived countless pirate raids, today it is in excellent condition. Now the Maritime Museum is located here.
Plaza de Armas
The next attraction of Havana is the Plaza de Armas, preserved from the sixteenth century. Initially, the Spanish colonizers used it for festive events. They built such squares in all major cities. Later, proud Cubans, very zealously guarding their freedom, erected a monument to the freedom fighter Manuel Cespedes behind the square. The perimeter of the square is lined with coral limestone colonial buildings.
Museum of the Revolution
It's time to move on from describing the ancient sights of Ciudad de la Havana, which means "city of Havana" in Spanish, to more modern ones. The most significant of them is, perhaps, the Museum of the Revolution. The fact is that many Cubans are still quite reverent about the revolution, especially the older generation. And for many inhabitants of the Earth, the association that first comes to mind at the word Cuba is revolution. Previously, the museum building served as the presidential palace. The museum collection itself includes more than 9,000 exhibits related to the struggle for independence from Spain:weapons, letters, clothing and photographs.
Colon Cemetery
Another interesting place to visit in Havana is Columbus Cemetery, better known as Colon Cemetery. On an area of just under sixty hectares, Cubans are buried who gained great fame during their lifetime: cultural figures, politicians and athletes. But, of course, not only this is the reason for quite a lot of fame. The fact is that many graves in the Colon cemetery are decorated with beautiful sculptures and memorials. Perhaps the most famous of these is the twenty-three-meter high memorial dedicated to the firefighters who gave their lives fighting the fire in May 1890.
As an afterword
In principle, seeing the sights of Havana on your own is not such an incredible undertaking, but, if you wish, you can use the services of numerous local guides. Moreover, there is a chance to drive a fairly old car, of which a large number have been preserved there. They can also be brought to the sights of Havana and Cuba in general.
This is not all the interesting places in Havana that are worth visiting to plunge into the history of the island from the first Spanish colonizers to the present day. It is enough to move a little away from the noisy center and take a short walk along the historical streets to absorb the spirit of freedom that the islanders are so famous for and, perhaps, discover your personal, previously undescribed landmark of Havana.
