Cuba is a small country where time itself has stopped. Surprisingly, despite its proximity to the United States, this state does not maintain friendly relations with the States, which is reflected in the country itself. The Cuban economy can hardly be called developed; the state does not have incredibly expensive hotels, grandiose artificial islands, or even a developed tourism industry. This is not what attracts tourists to Cuba.
Everyone is going to the city of Havana. The Capitol is one of the most beautiful Cuban landmarks, but far from the only one. In this country, everything is unusual. Architecture, cars, and even the locals themselves are all examples of the unique integration of different cultures.
Caribbean Babylon
The capital of Cuba is Havana, and the people call it the Caribbean Babylon. By Cuban standards, it is the most developed and very populated city. Its population is about 2 million people, which is 20% of the total populationcountries. Surprisingly, almost all of them are the ancestors of the Spaniards who settled the islands and founded a colony. Anyone who wants to see with their own eyes how a foreign culture penetrates an isolated state should go to Havana. The Capitol is the center of attention for most tourists, but far from the only attraction.
They say that time is frozen in Havana, or maybe slowed down a little. This is partly true. Cuba is not the most open state, and it is not friendly with its neighbors. Permanent sanctions and embargoes led to the stagnation of the country's development. Old American cars still roam the streets of Havana, which in any other country would inevitably be called retro.
The sculptural image of Cuba is not original. This is a mixture of American, English, Spanish and Russian architectural thought. Basically, throughout Cuba, the style of a bygone colonial era is widespread: huge massive buildings with columns and wide balconies, large doors, bas-reliefs, stained-glass windows and statues. There are many squares in the capital, and many forts and castles throughout the country. All this is found everywhere. However, this is only the outer side of Cuban buildings.
The most attractive and beautiful city is Havana. The Capitol and other attractions attract the attention of all tourists and skillfully disguise the Cuban slums and disadvantaged areas. During difficult times, Cuban architects built buildings according to the cheapest designs - unremarkable concrete boxes for lesswe althy citizens. For a while, Khrushchev-era Soviet style permeated Cuba. That is why, walking around Havana, you can find familiar five-story panel houses.
All roads lead to the Capitol
Whoever comes to Havana, he will definitely pay attention to the Capitol. Although Havana offers other attractions, all excursion programs always give priority to this attraction. There is nothing surprising in this, because this is a unique structure. In some ways, it resembles the Washington Capitol, but a little higher.
The architectural style of the Capitol is similar to the buildings of the Renaissance, but with its own characteristics. It was built in 1926 and was actively used until 1959, but then it became an architectural monument. Roughly speaking, today it is a museum open to the public.
The Capitol is the building of the Cuban Parliament. Once it performed its functions to the full, but today it is nothing more than an object of cultural heritage. If the parliament ever meets again, it will be a very important meeting with historical significance.
Distance matters
Wherever tourists go, there is always distance to deal with. However, linking to a distance is important in cartography, in bureaucracy, and even in politics. Almost every state is trying to build a special place that will not only become an architectural monument, but will also be a starting point for changing the distance within the country - zerokilometer. Traditionally, architects try to make this place special and meaningful. So the Cubans did not save on decoration.
More than a landmark
The Capitol is a fundamental building. It consists of many halls and rooms, but the central hall stands out. This is a place of particular importance for the structure. You can even say that this is the face of the Capitol. In the main hall, the entire floor is lined with expensive marble, on the floor there is a huge star, in the very center of which there is an amazing diamond. To be more precise, a platinum nest is built into the floor, and a stone is built into it. It is this diamond that is the zero kilometer. It is he who is the starting point for measuring distance in Cuba. This is a fairly visited place, and in the summer season there are many tourists. Due to the fact that the Internet is not widespread in Cuba, it will be difficult to purchase tickets online. You'll have to stand in a long line under the hot sun.
City of contrasts
Havana is a city of contrasts. How many unusual things are collected in one place. Cuba itself is like a time machine or an open-air museum. This is a passage to the middle of the last century.
Tourists do not have to visit the Capitol. The sights of Havana are varied. The city itself is a memorable place that deserves attention. Many museums, interesting buildings, fortifications, fortresses and much more can be visited for free or with cheap tickets. As a rule, free admission is associated with a largequeue, so better pay.
Slums
There are slums in Havana. Despite the fact that they are part of the architectural appearance, and the Cubans are peaceful and kind people, it is not recommended to visit the slums in the evening and at night. During the daytime, it is quite safe to walk along them. However, in the slums, mobile Internet does not catch. However, throughout Cuba there are very big problems with him.
