Old Havana and its Fortifications, Cuba

Castillo de la Fuerza, Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CastillodelaFuerza.jpg
Author: Wilder Mendez


Havana, the capital of Cuba, is a sprawling metropolis of 2 million people. Its old centre remains very much intact, with an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical architecture, and a homegeneous ensemble of private houses, with their arcades, balconies, balustrades, wrought-iron gates, and central courtyards.

Old Havana, or Habana Vieja, is the core of the original city. It is encircled with a city wall that forms the modern boundaries of Old Havana. It was founded by the Spanish in 1519 around a natural harbor. Old Havana is the stopping point for Spanish galleons laden with treasures.

Old Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Havana_Cuba.jpg
Author: Jialiang Gao


There are approximately 3,000 buildings in Old Havana. Old Havana was set on fire by the French pirate Jacques de Sores after he failed to discover any loot in the city. Following the attack, the Spanish built the first fortress there, in 1558.

Old Havana was inscribed as a World Heritage Site during the 6th session of the World Heritage Committee meeting in Headquarters in Paris, France on 13-17 December, 1982.

Castillo del Morro, Havana, Cuba
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castillodelmorro.jpg
Author: Michael Toft Schmidt


Among the sights in Old Havana includes the following:

• The Malecón is an avenue that follows the city wall on the northern shore of Havana.
  
  
• Castillo del Morro is a fortress guarding the entrance into the Bay of Havana
  
  
• La Cabaña is another fortress. It guards the east side of the Bay of Havana
  
  
• Salvador de la Punta is another fortress. It guards the shore opposite Castillo del El Morro
  
  
• Castillo de la Real Fuerza is a fortress near the Plaza de las Armas. It was the first big fortification built in Havana, over the ruins on an even more ancient fortress.
  
  

World Heritage Site Inscription Details

Location: N 23 8 W 82 21 Province of Ciudad de la Habana
Inscription Year: 1982
Type of Site: Cultural
Inscription Criteria: IV, V

Visiting Old Havana and its Fortifications

The main airport for Havana is the Jose Marti International Airport (HAV). Baggage clearance is very slow and strict, so expect a long wait before you get to enter the country. Getting around in Havana is most convenient by taxi, many of which are old American Chevys. There are also modern tourist taxis using Peugeots, Skodas and even Mercedes.

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