Cuba’s Capitol Building, architectural jewel of Western Hemisphere
In Paseo del Prado avenue, between Parque de la Fraternidad (Fraternity Park) and Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso (Havana’s Grand Theater Alicia Alonso), most important building of Havana, a seat of the country’s history, admiration of Cubans and foreigners, shines for its beauty and architectural magnificence.
Constructive details and curiosities are summarized in a building turned into a National Monument since 2010, whose recent reopening has brought back brilliance achieved in last century.
A bit of history
The land where Cuba’s National Capitol is currently located was occupied many years ago by an extensive swamp, later becoming a botanical garden and then turned Estacion Ferroviaria de Villanueva (railway station of Villanueva).
Demolished walls that protected Havana, back in 1863, the property was connected to Paseo de Marte giving greater distinction to Fuente de la India (Fountain of India) or Noble Havana, work of Italian artist Giuseppe Gaggini.
Due to demographic and commercial growth, on July 20, 1910, Cuban congress decided to exchange the land where station was located to build the future headquarters of Cuban Presidential Palace.
With designs of architects Felix Cobarrocas and Mario Romanach, construction Cuban legislature’s headquarter began in 1912, although it were interrupted by repercussion, in Cuba, of First World War.
Gerardo Machado, who assumes presidency in 1925, decides to solve this long-term issue with intention of turn Capitol project into a milestone of his personal plan of Havana beautification. For this reason, outstanding figures of national architecture were summoned.
Through a presidential decree emitted on January 18, 1926, project acceptance was made public, which is assumed by Purdy and Henderson house, which leaves for posterity a jewel of Cuban architecture, after three years and fifty days of constructive work.
About the building
On May 20, 1929, a few days after world crisis outbreak, this magnificent building was inaugurated, inspired by Pantheon of Paris and Washington’s Capitol. It housed Republic of Cuba’s legislative body, House of Representatives and Senate, until its dissolution in 1959, assuming, the building, other functions.
Its immense appearance isn’t shocking with its surroundings. The horizontal facade is interrupted harmonically by beautiful columns; however, rigidity of its terminal angles is softened by circular finishes at the ends of building.
It also highlights its dome slenderness and height, with 61 meters and 75 centimeters of altitude from Salon de los Pasos Perdidos (Hall of Lost Steps) and 92 meters with 73 centimeters above sea level.
The use of limestone and granite blocks stands out in its construction. Porch leads to a granite staircase with 55 steps, 36 meters wide and 16 meters high, site chosen by visitors to capture with photos their stay in Havana and, therefore, in this immense palace.
Omnipotent stand at top of staircase, two sculptural groups of bronze on a granite pedestal, one male and other female. Legacy of Italian Angelo Zanelli, both statues have a height of 6.70 meters and symbolize, first, progress of human activity and the other, peoples tutelary virtue.
Crossing central portico people will reach the roundabout under immense dome topped with a bronze statue of Mercury. Towards ends of porch, follow two wings of Hall of Lost Steps, eclectic style, which houses statue La Republica (The Republic), with large dimensions.
Other halls of unusual interest are sheltered under this capitoline mantle of universal renown.
Interesting facts
Considered one of most visited tourist centers in Cuba, Cuba’s Capitol Building becomes a Havana’s architectural icon. Its history and constructive details are filled with unique curiosities:
This building exceeds 1 meter high, wide and long to Washington’s Capitol.
In its beginnings, a torch was lit with five large revolving reflectors on his dome. Detached light was known as “El Centelleador” (The Scintillator) and next to lighthouse of Castillo del Morro (Morro’s Castle), it was the farthest outside of the Havana coasts.
In Hall of Lost Steps is located marble’s star in whose center a diamond (currently a replica) marks zero kilometer of Cuban Carretera Central (Central Highway).
It is said that the original diamond is 24 carats and was chosen to decorate Tsar Nicholas II second crown, later passing into hands of The Turkish jeweler Issac Estefano, who brought him to Cuba at the end of First World War.
Most momentous events in national history, from aborigine’s times, until Capitol’s inauguration, are represented in sixty bas-reliefs of great doors of bronze made entrance.
Another curious detail relates to Mambi Desconocido’s Tomb (Unknown Mambi’s Tomb). It’s in a room containing a sarcophagus surrounded by six bronze figures, shaped as a woman, representing six provinces in which the Caribbean island was divided when building was constructed.
In this crypt you can see flags of some American continent countries, score of Himno de Bayamo (Hymn of Bayamo), sculpture of Fatherland, and nation coat of arms.
In one of courtyards there is a sculpture that pays homage to five workers who died during the construction of the Capitol. Interestingly, two of them died same day, but with a year of difference.
Finally, Estatua de La Republica (Republic’s Statue), laminated in gold and placed on top of a massive onyx marble pedestal, constitutes third largest statue in the world under roof, surpassed by Golden Buddha of Nava, in Japan, and majestic Lincoln from Washington, in United States.
An unavoidable visit
After a long process of restoration, National Capitol of Cuba reopened its doors on March 1, 2018, although completion of work is scheduled for November 2019.
Its monumental dimensions, demanding design, particular elegance and well-proportioned balance of its components, are undoubtedly attractive to visitors and measure Havana’s Capitol Building as an architectural jewel of the Western Hemisphere.
Originally published at havanaprivatesuite.com.
