Sign in with Facebook"LA HABANA VIEJA" Havana by LoriPori
Havana Travel Guide: 1,577 reviews and 3,582 photos
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The Capital of Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Havana or LA HABANA is also the major port and leading commercial center of Cuba. With 2.3 million inhabitants, Havana is the largest city in both Cuba and the Caribbean region.
Havana is located 106 miles ( 170 km ) southwest of Key West Florida, on the northwest coast of Cuba.
I thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the different Plazas like - San Francisco - Plaza de Armas - Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza de la Revolucion.
I found Havana to be a charming city to visit. It's like it is frozen in time with its vintage cars and Barocque-style buildings. Some of the once grandiose buildings, built during the city's more prosperous times, lie in disrepair, but still adds to the charm of the city. Hans and I are so glad that we decided to take a day tour here.
Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro or simply CASTILLO EL MORRO dominates the Port entrance and guards the entrance to Havana Bay. Built in 1589 it was strategically placed here as there was already a natural elevation of rock.
This impressive fort is perched on cliffs on the opposite side of the Harbor from old Havana,
Built in the 18th century the CATEDRAL DE SAN CRISTOBAL DE LA HABANA is a fine example of Cuban barocque. It is claimed that the relics of Christopher Columbus were here from 1796 to 1898, but there is no official proof of this claim.
Construction began in 1748 by the Jesuits and completed by the Franciscans in 1777 - 29 years later.
Inside the Catedral it is amazing with its impressive vaulted ceilings and enormous altar. Very much worth seeing.
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LA HABANA
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The Capital of Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Havana or LA HABANA is also the major port and leading commercial... more travel advice
ARTS & CRAFTS MARKET
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An outdoor arts and crafts market FERIA DE LOS ARTESANOS is located close to the Plaza de la Catedral. After we had... more travel advice
MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR
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One of the buildings in Revolution Square is the Ministerio del Interior or MINISTRY OF THE INTERIOR. It would just be... more travel advice
CASTILLO EL MORRO
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Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro or simply CASTILLO EL MORRO dominated the Port entrance and guarding the... more travel advice
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Comments (31)
were you actually allowed to stay in Havana or just at the resorts? Those antique american cars, wow,how wild! Do you see very much socialist architecture, the grand blocky buildings and heroic statues?
Tho we were staying at a resort in Varadero, we could have stayed overnight in Havana also. There were tours available for an overnight stay. I loved seeing all the antique American cars. Most of them were in mint condition and many were used as taxis. As for heroic statues, I don't remember seeing any, but there probably were some scattered around.
Wait, there was that one memorial to Jose' Marti a Cuban National hero.
Some wonderful memories of La Habana, such a unique city! El Patio, what a pleasant place for lunch, and the whole Plaza de la Catedral is very charming. I loved coco taxis and taxis antiguos, but never dared to hop on any camellos ;) Lovely page, Lori!
Say Havana, and I think of those old American cars! I see from your tips and photo's that there is nice buildings and places of interest as well. Enjoyed my tour Lori!
Hi there Lori - Just a great tour of Havana - loved the street musicians - the music endeared me to Cuba long ago with the arrival in NY of the first wave of musicians in the 60's. I wanna go..........
Enjoyed touring Havana with you. Loved the old architecture (not so much that of the communist era), the carnival atmosphere, the interesting cemetery. Fancy being charged for taking pictures there!
The pictures are very good and depict the culture and lively life still prevailing, as well as foreign influence of the past.
I would love a Mojito in CUBA!!!
I am still hungry and would like to have a mojito :-)) I love the views and sights, especially this cute castillo :-) Haha, yes, coco taxi looks funny and the cars are adorable :-)
World of wonders! Havana is truly beautiful with lots of architectural buildings. Havana's Cemetery looks amazing. Coco taxi sounds interesting. We hope that we will be able to visit Havana one day! ~ho & pang
Havana looks great! Someday, maybe...Norman :)