Architecture, Cars, Cigars and Rum - Havana, Cuba

City Walks

Feb 4

Havana, Cuba

This post covers the safe, vibrant, culturally rich Old Havana. Havana is the largest city in the Caribbean and in 1982, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The architecture exhibits a blending of many styles from Art Deco, Neoclassic, Baroque and ugly utilitarian. Many main buildings in Havana have been restored to their original glory, while others are showing signs of the slow process of restoration. Then there are the others that have been neglected and are being left to age naturally. A great many of the buildings stand still in time while showing some signs of wear. The streets of Old Havana proved to be a be a “photo walk” , with sights and sounds that thrilled me. Getting lost in the narrow streets of the non-touristy areas was the best for me, but seeing the more popular tourist places such as Plaza de la Revolucion, El Malecon, El Capitolio, and Plaza de Armas was also very interesting.

The people are very proud of their Cuban heritage and it sparks questions of how Marxism-Leninism works for them and how they must work the system.

Outside the city, but definitely worth the cab ride to the fifteen-acre estate, is Finca Vigia. This is the restored house museum of Ernest Hemingway in the hamlet of San Francisco de Paula. You will only be allowed to view Finca Vigia through the windows, which is not a problem because the house is only two rooms deep. The house has a simple airy feel and you can see living areas, bedrooms and even the bathroom, each room containing books. You can also wander through the gardens and view “Pilar”, Hemingway’s fishing boat which is on display near the pool.

Here is what caught my eye. I hope you enjoy!

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Eclectic architecture

Restored and painted

Two local men and their dogs

Street mural

Residential street

Classic car

Brightly colored building

Horse drawn carriage

This is a huge chandelier hanging in the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Plaza de la Catedral.

Cuba Libre

Primavera, by sculptor Rafael San Juan, celebrates the spirit of Cuban women.

Classic car and architecture

Illuminated arches in the City Square

A curious peek

Paseo de Marti and the Capitolio Nacional

Rooftop lounge and pool of the Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana

Night view from Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski La Habana rooftop

Why not chartreuse?

La Conversacion by Etienne in Plaza de San Francisco de Asisi

Combined architectural styles

Floridita is famous for their daiquiris and for having been one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite hangouts.

Viajero Fantastico, Plaza Vieja, is a sculpture of a naked woman on a rooster with a large fork. No one really knows for sure the meaning behind the unusual sculpture by Roberto Fabelo.

Behind the wheel of a classic

Hotel Raquel

Display of local art for sale

Graffiti art

The huge common space of the Hotel Florida was built in 1836.

Barber shop

Street cleaner

Break time for this pedal cab driver

Restored building

Pictured here is the bronze statue of Sancho Panza, a fictional character from the novel Don Quixote de La Mancha, by sculptor Leo D’Lazaro.

Mismatched doors

A shack on Playas del Este

Jose Fuster’s Fusterlandia

A beat up classic has seen better days.

Charlie Chaplin was among Castro’s favorite comedians.

Jean-Baptistery Vermay bust in the El Templete, built in 1827, commemorates the first mass and the first town council.

Street art

Another side street

Street vendors

Paseo del Prado

Inside the historic restaurant and cocktail bar, Floridita, is a life-size bronze statue of Ernest Hemingway, positioned at his favorite spot at the end of the bar.