Havana
So, here I am in Havana after an internal flight on an old Russian propeller plane of Aerogaviota Airways. I had boarded the flight in Santiago de Cuba.
Getting a first glance at this old plane, I was not sure whether I should actually board it. Albeit, all went well and we landed safely in Havana.
Casa particular accommodation in Havana
Leonardo was the owner of the casa particular I was going to be staying in. He had prearranged transportation from the airport into town.
I was pleasantly surprised to see my “home” for the next few days. It looked great from the outside and I was really impressed by the interior. I had the impression I was stepping into a museum. Plenty of oil paintings, antique furniture, piano, a patio and much more.
Also, the location of the casa particular was at walking distance to the fancy Vedado, the Malecon and Old Havana.
Havana
Before Spanish colonization reached this part of Cuba, it was ruled by a powerful Taino chief. He named this settlement after his daughter, Habana.
Dry Dock
Initially, the Spaniards called it “Dry Dock” as their ships in need of repair could anchor in the nearby protected bay. The convenient and strategic location of the “Dry Dock” was a perfect springboard for the Spanish conquest of the Americas. With time, the town grew around the “dry Dock” and gained an ever growing importance.
Capital of Cuba
So much so that it became the third capital town of Cuba succeeding Baracoa and Santiago de Cuba.
Renaming the town
The Spaniards first renamed it Villa San Cristobal. Only after the last Taino was extinct, it became La Habana.
Trade Centre and Saint Francisco d’Assisi Church
La Habana, or Havana as we know it, soon became the most important trade center of the Americas at the time. The imposing Trade Center building is witness to that.
Across the square, is the church and monastery of Saint Francisco d’Assisi. Initially it was the main catholic church of town. However, it was relocated as the vicinity to the Trade Center was deemed incompatible with religion.
Caballero de Paris
Next to the church, I met Jose Maria Lledin better known as Caballero de Paris. During the Spanish colonial times, he ended up stranded and broke in Havana. However, he proclaimed to be a noble man and behaved accordingly.
I followed the local believe according to which holding his beard and finger replenishes me with energy. Here I am posing with him however there is an intruder in the picture…. can you spot him?
Cruise ships anchoring in Havana deliver their passengers straight into the centre of town.
The Cathedral of Virgin Maria
This is one of the eleven Roman Catholic churches in Cuba. Located in a beautiful square, it is considered one of the best examples of baroque architecture in Cuba.
Plaza Vieja
The near by Plaza Vieja (old square), contrary to its name, is not the oldest of the squares of Havana.
Revolution Square
It is the 31st largest in the world. Fidel Castro addressed more than 1 million Cubans on important occasions such as 1 May and 26 July each year. In 1998, Pope John Paul II and, in 2015, Pope Francis, held large masses on this square.
Old town Havana, Calle Obispo
The main shopping street of Havana is Calle Obispo. Located in the centre of Old Havana, it is rather crowed with locals and tourists. However, in my opinion, there are more interesting sites to check out.
Cecilia
Close by is Plaza Saint Angel with Cecilia standing in front of the church.
Cirilo Villaverde, the Cuban poet, novelist, journalist and freedom fighter of the 19th century put on paper the tragedy of Cecilia Valdes.
The story
The story is of a beautiful black slave in a clandestine relationship with Leonardo, the son of a rich Spanish noble family. However, as things would go in those times, his parents forced him to marry Isabelle.
On the day of the wedding, Cecilia mandated her best friend to kill the spouse. Albeit, as he was in love with her he killed Leonardo instead. The poor slave was overwhelmed with grieve and died shortly after with a broken heart. The book is considered one of the most important works of Cuban Literature.
Plaza Saint Angel
I found the area around this square somewhat different. This is due to a community effort launched by the local barber. He moved the entire neighborhood into refurbishing their homes and decorating the streets with pot plants.
Paseo Mardi
Paseo Mardi, close to the Parque Central, is worth a visit especially on a Saturday as you can buy some local artwork. By the way, following the visit of President Obama to Cuba in early 2016, Karl Lagerfeld held his fashion show here. The Paseo is flanked by some great buildings.
Grand Theatre of Havana
This theatre on Parque Central is a must see from the outside and the inside. I took the tour to get access to the upper floor where the ball room is located.
The theatre is fully functional and performances take place every evening. I regret of not getting myself a ticket in time as it is pretty much impossible to find one at the entrance booth.
Museum of the Revolution
Visiting the imposing museum, I had to leave my handback in a locker so I was glad I had no valuables with me.
The exhibition consists mainly of photographs and newspaper articles related to the revolution. If I would have joined a guided tour, it might have been more interesting.
Don’t miss the caricatures in the museum
The caricatures hidden on the back side of the wall on the ground floor were rather entertaining.
Callejon de Hamel
I also passed by Callejon de Hamel. This is a funky street with plenty of interesting murals and art shops.
It is the Center of African-Cuban culture in Havana albeit a bit touristy.
Having said that, in the numerous art shops you could make a good catch of some memobilia of the Cuban revolution.
Callejon de Hamel – good day to visit is on a Sunday
Every Sunday, there is lot of happenings taking place there. Art exhibitions, carnival style of parades, music, you name it. This narrow street is packed with little bars and there is a lot of drinking and entertainment taking place.
The owner of my “casa” strongly advised me to keep my belongings and especially my wallet well under control.
Malecon
Havana’s promenade, the Malecon, is a large coastal road which, for some reason, is not very popular with drivers.
On weekends, locals gather to fish their dinner or simply enjoy the romantic sunset. Unfortunately, a number of buildings along the Malecon are in a deplorable state.
In contrast, this is the very different skyline of modern Havana as seen from the Malecon.
Hotel National
This Hotel was declared National Monument and inscribed in the World Memory Register.
Famous guests stayed here
Innumerable Ibero-American Heads of State and European monarchs stayed there. The list continues with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Winston Churchill, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Al Capone and many more.
At that time, this luxury hotel built in the 1930s when Havana was a Las Vegas-style playground was the place to stay. This was obviousely before Fidel Castro’s tenure.
Vedado
Further down the Malecon, I past Vedado. Translated it means “prohibited” as, at one point, it was forbidden to build in this area. Now it is the fancy part of Havana with some stunning colonial villas. Many embassies reside here. I also found the best supermarket in this area.
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There are more posts on Havana and for more tips on Cuba click on What to Pack, Cuba visited as a sole female traveller
My destinations in Cuba were Havana, Trinidad, Vignales, Cienfuegos, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba
Enjoy the reading!
https://travellingcontessa.com/santiago-de-cuba/
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