Architects, historians and photographers enjoy a visit to Havana. For them, the city is a spectacular open-air museum. But it’s also a great place for adventurers, music lovers, romantics, art lovers and those who enjoy walking around and seeing the sights. Be sure not to miss the following sightseeing attractions.
The symbol of Havana is the Castillo del Morro located on the waterfront. The construction of this imposing ‘castle of the magi’ designed by an Italian engineer named Bautista Antonelli began around 1590. It commands a view of the entire city. Today, the completely restored fortress that rises almost 200 feet above the surface of the Caribbean, has become a national monument. If Castillo del Morro whets your appetite, you might want to walk through the next fort that’s even a bit older: Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
The most important event in the island’s recent history was the Cuban Revolution, the contours of which could be seen at the end of the nineteenth century. An ode to this far-reaching development is the impressive Museo de la Revolución where a wide range of documents, objects and photos of men like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara take you back to the struggle to overthrow the regime then in power.
El Capitolio Nacional is the center of Havana. Beneath its dome is a ‘diamond’ that marks the spot from which all distances are measured within the city. This building, which is a unique sightseeing attraction, was built in 1929 and is closely related in its design (particularly its dome) to the US Capital Building in Washington, D.C. It now houses the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. Inside is ‘La Republica’, the world’s third-largest bronze statu.
Truly impressive. This is perhaps the one and only word to describe the Cementerio Cristóbal Colón. The famous cemetery with its colossal Roman gateway and opulent grave monuments dates from 1875 and is the last resting place for around a million Cubans ranging from historic figures and soldiers to martyrs of the revolution, thus making it one of the largest cemeteries in the world. Also impressive is the miracle of Amalia, “La Milagrosa”, the mother who died along with her baby in childbirth and was buried here with her baby at her feet. Two years after her burial when gravediggers opened the grave to put the bones into a smaller coffin, they discovered that the baby’s skeleton was not at the mother’s feet but resting on her chest. Since then, Cementerio Cristóbal Colón has become a pilgrimage destination for women who want to become pregnant.
It’s hard to choose from among all the historic buildings in a city like Havana, but if you’d have to, this baroque-style cathedral built in the old part of the city in 1748 would probably rank as the most important sightseeing attraction of all. Try to arrange spending a few evening hours on the plaza in front of this magical piece of architecture. Simply enchanting!