Enjoy Cuban architecture in Havana neighborhoods Centro Habana, Vedado and Playa

Frequently, national and foreign visitors stop at the streets of Havana, dazzled by the constructions they encounter. Numerous Havana’s localities, with their distinctive architecture, acquire their own particularities. Thus Greater Antilles capital is revealed different and striking, in that fusion of history and architecture that make it the Wonder City.

The architecture in three Havana neighborhoods

Heritage of Spanish, Italian, Arabic, French, Greco-Roman and North American influence, Havana’s urban landscapes contrast with each other, but distinguish separately the capital’s neighborhood. Interesting suggestion to discover in the capital of this Caribbean island.

Centro Habana

Located in the center of the Cuban capital, it represents the transition between Old Havana and its more modern side. Its wide avenues separate architecturally homogeneous neighborhoods, full of profusely decorated facades, high struts and balconies on narrow sidewalks. Among its constructions, I bring you two proposals to know it from a close view.

Torreon de San Lazaro or Torreon de la Caleta

Built in 1665, it was part of the fortification system of the town of San Cristobal de La Habana. It became a guard post in a place where the view from the fortresses of Havana, because zone geography.

The building is considered a perfect masonry cylinder with walls of a thickness of 1.30 meters. It has three levels with loopholes in its intermediate level dedicated to guard the rifle shot, a parapet with small embrasures in the upper one and an access door to the ground level.

With the passage of time, the cove was filled adopting the appearance that it has today. In the 50s the solid and vigorous tower became part of the sculptural set of Antonio Maceo Park, inaugurated in 1916.

Iglesia del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus

A few meters from the big tower is Belascoain Avenue. Go up it, enjoy its peculiar hustle and in that walking you will find yourself face to face with this Catholic temple. If a symbol distinguishes Centro Habana, it is the Sacred Heart Church. Omnipotent and majestic stands on Reina Street, with its 50 meters high tower, reaching the temple 74 meters in total. For this reason, it is considered the highest church in Cuba.

Investigators assure that its Gothic style, with pointed arch and high pointed vaults, is authentic. The name “one of the most beautiful churches in Cuba and America” is also attributed to its small walls with large windows and luminous stained glass windows. All a wonder that captivates those who visit it, manifesting the desire to remain in its interior sumptuousness.

Vedado

Nowadays, Vedado represents an area of great socio-cultural and economic development in Havana. However, centuries ago it was a coastal strip strewn with impenetrable jungle and rocks popularly known as diente de perro (dog’s tooth). Its wide avenues and modern buildings, alternates with representative buildings whose architecture is worth dedicating a point and apart.

Nacional de Cuba Hotel

Located on a hill a few meters from Havana’s Malecon, it is considered a symbol of Cuban hospitality. Since its inauguration on December 30, 1930, it has accommodated some of the most famous figures visiting the Pearl of Antilles.

The building expresses in its architecture an eclectic style, with presence of Art Deco. The characteristics of Hispanic-Morunas architecture and Arabic reminiscences are added. But neoclassical and neocolonial and even details of Californian environment of past centuries are shown as a whole. Not for pleasure, this hotel holds several architectural prizes and has been declared a National Monument and World Heritage Site.

In addition to Malecon, due to its proximity, you can walk La Rampa, stop at the most popular corner of Cuba: 23 and L and try the Spanish food that is offered in Esteban’s Kitchen. Nothing better to satiate your appetite during this ride.

FOCSA Building

People say that after opening in 1956, its technological novelty caused a sensation and marked the beginning of Havanan high-rise buildings era. At that time, after Marinelli, it was the second tallest concrete building in the world.

Directed by engineer Luis Saenz Duplace and the architect Ernesto Gomez Sampera, the projection group of FOCSA, left for the present a building with 39 floors and 373 apartments overlooking the sea. Its height is 121 meters above street level and constitutes a benchmark for Cuban engineering. So much so, that in 1997 it was selected as one of the Seven Wonders of Cuban Civil Engineering.

It is located at the intersection of M and 17 streets. Hence, I suggest to complement the route through this last artery where you will find important buildings and several gastronomic centers that will surprise you.

Playa

Municipality Playa, west of Havana, is a great tourist interest place for hosting sites, such as Tropicana Cabaret, Almendares Park, renowned hotels, clubs and spas converted into Social Circles for the enjoyment of workers and their families. Its residential Miramar, has among its attractions, buildings of architectural interest. Let’s see two of them.

The House of the Green Roof

When people cross the tunnel at the end of Linea Street, going in Miramar direction, a building draws attention by the unusual color of its roof. It is La Casa de las Tejas Verdes (House of the Green Tiles).

Surrounded by myths and legends, the property was built in 1926 and had several owners. It is considered the only example of Queen Anne style in Cuba. Although it was subject to constant decline, the Cuban government decided to restore it by restoring its original architectural value. This motivated the project to receive the 2010 National Restoration Award.

Fifth Avenue Clock

Five blocks from House of the Green Tiles, stands a tower 22 meters high with its old Bell Clock Tower, special attraction in the elegant area.

It was built in 1924 and, it is said, was designed in the style of Big Ben in London. Of course, not because of the structure of the building, but because of the clock’s mechanism, lasting to this day. It is the only one of its kind in Cuba and since 1993 it has been cataloged as the most representative symbol of the municipality of Playa.

In this area of Miramar there are several gastronomic options that you can meet after such a pleasant journey. The restaurant Amigos del Mar, with its seafood cuisine and view towards the place where sea and river merge in same channel; also Toros y Tapas, awaits you with recipes brought from Spain to taste in current Havana.

A different proposal

Approaching Havana’s architecture, palpable in its representative exponents, is a stimulating way to delve into the history and particularities of a centennial city. A different proposal to see in the Caribbean capital.

Originally published at havanaprivatesuite.com.