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Zanja Real

General sightseeing

CA Ranking: 3

Admission: Free

Teniente Rey e/ Mercaderes y Oficios, Habana Vieja

Mid-way along the west side of the Basílica Menor y Convento de San Francisco de Asís, Calle Brasil (Teniente Rey) leads south one block to Plaza Vieja. Exposed in the center of the cobbled street are two archaeological sites displaying portions of the Zanja Real (Royal Canal)— the original aqueduct that was initiated in 1566 and supplied the city with water before the construction of the Albear Acqueduct in 1835.

Plaza de Armas LH 5+

The early city was formally founded in 1519 on the northeast side of what would soon be laid out as Plaza de la Iglesia—named for the simple church that stood here until 1741, when it was destroyed fo …

Admission: NoneLimited by Obispo, O’Reilly, Cuba & Baratillo, Habana Vieja

Necrópolis de Cristóbal Colón LH 5+

History & architecture Declared National Monument in 1987, this is the most important cemetery in Cuba and its 57 hectares (10 acres) makes it the largest in America. According to Enrique Martínez …

EclecticAdmission: CUC 1Open: 9am-5pm dailyZapata y 12

Plaza de San Francisco LH 5+

Right across Havana harbor, Plaza de San Francisco is one of the first three built in the 16th century. It takes its name from the Franciscan convent built there. The plaza became the site of a market …

Oficios & Ave. del Puerto, Habana Vieja

Catedral de La Habana LH 5+

The entry of the Jesuits in Cuba was formally requested in 1656, and in 1727, a plot was granted for their school and church. Bishop Brother Gerónimo Valdés explained to the King of Spain that Havana’ …

BaroqueAdmission: FreeOpen: 10:30am-3pm Mon-SunEmpedrado #156 e/ San Ignacio y Mercaderes, Habana Vieja

The Malecón LH 5+

The Malecón, first named Avenida del Golfo, is Cuba’s most famous sea-side avenue. The project was undertaken by Don Francisco de Albear, Cuba’s greatest engineer at the time. Albear came up with a co …

Malecón from La Punta to the mouth of Río Almendares

Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula LH 5

In 1664 the Presbyter of the Cathedral of Havana, don Nicolás Estévez Borges, ordered the construction of a chapel devoted to Saint Francis of Paola (founder of the Roman Catholic Order of the Minims) …

BaroqueAdmission: FreeAvenida del Puerto, esq. a San Ignacio, Habana Vieja

Iglesia de Jesús de Miramar LH 5

Opened in 1953, this is Cuba’s second largest church, which is visible for several blocks due to its vast dome built in Roman-Byzantine style. The Jesús de Miramar church boasts 14 large mural paintin …

OtherOpen: 9am-noon, 4-6pm daily; Mass: 9am Mon-Fri; 9am, 5pm Sat-Sun; To visit at other times, enter via the sacristy5ta #8003 entre 80 y 82

Edificio Bacardí LH 5

The first and main exponent of art deco in the city belonged to Emilio Bacardí and was the home to his famous rum company. After winning the contest held by Bacardí, architects E. Rodríguez, R. Fernán …

Art DecoAdmission: FreeOpen: 9am-9pm dailyMonserrate esq. a San Juan de Dios, Habana Vieja

Museo de la Ciudad (Palacio de los Capitanes Generales) LH 5

History & architecture Considered the most important example of baroque architecture in the city, this grand building on the west side of the plaza was built in 1792, on the sight of the former pa …

BaroqueAdmission: CUC 3Open: 9am-6pm dailyCuba e/ Obispo y O’Reilly, Habana Vieja

Centro de Arte Contemporáneo Wifredo Lam LH 5+

The north-west corner of the square is occupied by the 18th-century Casa de los Condes de Peñalver, which has at different times served as a post office, a bank and a school. Today, it houses the Cent …

Admission: CUC 3Open: 10am-5pm Mon-SatSan Ignacio #22, esq. a Empedrado, Habana Vieja

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