Art Galleries

Guayasamin Foundation House
‘’ Since 1744 it belonged to the Pecalver family. Later it had several proprietors who modified it considerably. The mural paintings and its archaeological riches are a treasure in the city. Ecuadorian painter Oswaldo Guayasamín helped rescue it in 1990. The House has visiting hours. The painter’s works jewelry designs and decorative elements are for sale. ‘’
Calle Obrap?a No. 112 e/ Oficios y Mercaderes. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 861-3843

La Casona Gallery
‘’ It is located in one of the most important big colonial houses of Havana: the House of the Count of San Juan de Jaruco. It is also the head office of the Cuban Fund of Cultural Property. And it also promotes and markets the most authentic crafts and decorative arts of Cuban artists.’’
Calle Muralla No. 107 esq. a San Ignacio. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 862-2633

Forma Gallery
‘’ Exhibits of small size sculptures.’’
Calle Obispo No. 255 e/ Cuba y Aguiar. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 862-0123

Roberto Diago Gallery
‘’ Exhibitions by Cuban popular artists.’’
Calle Muralla No. 107 esq. a San Ignacio. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 862-2377

Places of Interest

Aquarium of Old Havana
‘’ It has 120 squared meters and 70 species of fresh water, aquatic plants, mollusks and crustaceans. The species are distributed in 7 fish tanks that represent the aquatic world of different geographic areas of the planet, like Cuba, Africa, Latin America, South America and other areas. It is the first ecological center in Old Havana. ‘’
Calle Teniente Rey No. 9 e/ Oficios y Mercaderes. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 863-9493

Old Havana and its Colonial Fortress System
‘’ It was included in the World Heritage List when it was approved in the 6th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of the World, Cultural and Natural Heritage, held from December 13 to 17, 1982, at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France. The architectural complex and the fortress system were internationally recognized under the criteria that they are representatives of a type of structure which portraits a significative era in history and are exceptional examples of a traditional human settlement that represented a culture, which was vulnerable to modifications or irreversible changes. The Historical Urban Center of the City of Havana and its Fortress System are legally protected by the Law No. 1 of the National Assembly of the People’s Power: “Protection of Cultural Heritage Law”, passed on August 4, 1977; and the Law No.2 of the National Assembly of the People’s Power: “National and Local Monuments Law”, passed on August 4, 1977. This public property is highly inhabited and also used for social, commercial, administrative and cultural activitiesInside the old walls that surrounded the old town there are buildings with high architectural values, especially those near Plaza de Armas, Cathedral Square, San Francisco de Asis Square, and Plaza Vieja. All these characteristics turn Old Havana into the most relevant Historical Urban Center of the Caribbean and one of the most important in the American continent.. And as they truly part of the Historical Center, they were included in the world Heritage List. ‘’
La Habana Vieja. Ciudad de La Habana

Bacardi Building
‘’ The most outstanding Art Deco sample in the City and in the Caribbean. It belonged to Emilio Bacard?, born in Santiago de Cuba, and was the headquarters of his famous rum company. It was built in 1930 following the design of architect E. Rodr?guez Castells. The luxurious construction, with two small towers finished off in bronze bats, was awarded the National Architecture Prize. It was the seat of several institutions until restoration works began, which are still under way. The Fenix real estate company has its offices in it.’’
Calle Monserrate y San Juan de Dios. Ciudad de La Habana

De la Real Fuerza Castle
‘’ Declared National monument. It was built to replace the former fort that the Governor of the Island had built under the orders of the Queen of Spain and which was destroyed in 1555 by the French corsair Jacques de Sores. It used to be the oldest colonial fort of the Americas, and was opened in 1577. It was the beginning of a fortification plan carried out by the Spanish crown in the Caribbean to protect the voyages of the Spanish fleet. As it underwent several changes and enlargements like La Torre del Homenaje, a watchtower, and the old post of sentinels in 1632 that was used as a pedestal of a unique symbol of the city and well known worldwide: La Giraldilla, which perhaps represents the Giraldilla de Sevilla. It is also the oldest sculpture of Cuba. Today it is the headquarters of the Museum of Artistic Ceramics which exhibits paintings of the Cuban artists Amelia Pelaes, Wilfredo Lam, Rene Portocarrero, Rodríguez de la Cruz, and others representatives of the new generations of Cuban ceramists.’’
Calle O'Reilly No. 2 e/ Ave. del Puerto y Tac?n. Ciudad de La Habana
Telephones: (53 7) 861-6130

Parks & Squares

Central Park
‘’ It was built on the site that covered three small colonial squares and the former Park of Elizabeth II. On its centers stands the first statue ever made of José Martí work of Cuban sculptor Jose Villalta Saavedra, who wrought it out in marble from Carrara. On its pedestal there are scenes made of brass that tells us about the monumental work of José Marti. This is one of the most popular sites in Havana; a place for passionate discussions, public meetings and instant photos, taken, developed and printed the old Way. ‘’
Paseo del Prado. Ciudad de La Habana

Plaza de Armas (Parade Ground)
‘’ First urban center in the San Cristobal de la Habana Villa. El Templete is in its limits, and indicates the site in which, according to the tradition, the first mass and town council meeting were held.‘’
Calle Obispo y Tacón. Ciudad de La Habana

Plaza Vieja (Old Square)
‘’ Being its creation ordered it, 1587 it was not until the second half of the l7th century that it gained in importance. Initially called Plaza Nueva (New Square), its name was changed to that of Plaza Vieja (Old Plaza) when the Plaza del Cristo (Christ Square) was built. By the end of the l7th century it was the Plaza Mayor (Main Square), a relevant trading place and residential area of the Cuban elite until the 18th century. In 1835, the construction on its center of the monumental Mercado de Cristina (Cristina’s Market) was completed in honor of Queen Cristina. It was replaced by a park in 1908 and afterwards by an underground parking lot. The square, after its restoration in the late 90’s, recovered its original pavement. On its center there is a fountain of Carrara marble, a replica of the one that existed in this place in the past, that contributes to rescue the Plaza original charm.’’
Calles San Ignacio, Teniente Rey, Mercaderes y Muralla. Ciudad de La Habana