Havana

The largest city in the Caribbean

Havana is a fascinating city, with a history and character that you can’t begin to describe. Founded in November 1519, Havana (La Habana) was originally named San Cristobel de La Habana. The site of the city was moved three times before finally settling in its current position on the northern coast of Cuba. The largest city in the Caribbean, Havana is home to more than 3 million Habaneros. Despite the countries turbulent and sometimes-violent history, Havana stands today much as it was built.

While bursting at the seams with Spanish colonial architecture and 50s and 60s nostalgia, the city looks as if its about to fall down around you. Yet despite the decay the city is far from neglected and its charm and mystique just add to the experience.

• Once the finest city in the Americas, Havana’s grandeur is clear to see. Habana Viejo (Old Havana) is the area of the early colonial city. A maze of narrow one-way streets, Old Havana is rich in architecture, history and myth.
• Throughout the 16th Century, Old Havana was a key stop for Spanish ships, laden with gold, on their way back to Spain. These ships also attracted pirates keen to plunder them for their prize cargo. Prompted by the success of these buccaneers, the city was extensively fortified with a string of forts that were designed to act like a chain across the harbour mouth. Many of the original fortifications have survived including El Morro Castle, Cabana Fort, El Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the second oldest fortress in the Americas and Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta.
• The last and finest square to be built in Old Havana, the Plaza De La Catedral is dominated by the Catedral de la Habana an exquisite 18th century baroque masterpiece. Finished in 1777, the Cathedral was for more than a century the final resting-place of Christopher Columbus. The casket containing his ashes was finally returned to Spain in 1899.
• Marble benches and second hand bookstalls ring Plaza De Armas, the oldest square in Havana. A massive ceiba tree marks the importance of the Plaza in the history of the city. It is said that the tree covers the spot where the mass founding the city took place, the original tree feel victim to the hurricane of 1828.
• The west side of the Plaza is dominated by the imposing Palacio de Los Capitanos Generales. Built between 1775 and 1791 the palace is now home to the Municipal Museum. Inside you’ll find the throne room especially prepared for the Spanish monarchs who never visited Havana. The wooden pavement outside the Palace is the only surviving one in the New World.
• Linking Plaza De Armas with the Parque Central (Central Park) is the Calle Obispo. This bustling street is best experienced on foot. Each door and side street has its own unique and fascinating story to tell. There’s also an abundance of shops and street vendors.
• Both Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greene fell in love with the city to such an extent that Greene used the Hotel Sevilla and Hotel Nacional de Cuba as backdrops for his novel ‘Our man in Havana’. While for Hemingway enthusiasts a visit to the Hotel Ambos Mundos is a must. Room 511 was were in the 1930s he penned most of one of his best-known works "For whom the Bells Toll". The room contains many original artefacts from when the writer stayed there including the typewriter on which he wrote the novel.
• Other Hemingway haunts included his two favourite watering holes; La Bodeguita del Medio and El Floridita immortalised in ‘Islands in the Stream’.
• Built in 1927, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba was in the 1940’s and 50s the preserve of the Mafia. Its glittering casinos and opulent surrounding attracted the rich and famous including Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Ginger Rogers. This all came to an end after the Revolution when gambling was outlawed and the Mafia were politely asked to leave.
• Modelled on the Prado in Madrid, the kilometre long Paseo was constructed in 1772. This beautiful avenue was in the 19th century the most fashionable part of town. Wealthy Habaneros would promenade along the avenue, a tradition that has continued to this day. Beware though prostitutes also frequent it.
• Cuba’s more recent past is retold in the spectacular neo-classical Museum of the Revolution. Once the presidential palace, the building’s interior was beautifully decorated by Tiffany & Co. The museum charts the countries struggle for independence. Artefacts include none other then Che Guevara’s trademark black beret.
• No trip to Cuba, or Havana would be complete without visiting one of the cities six cigar factories. Located near to the Prado is the factory of La Corona where the world famous Romeo and Juliet, Montecristo and Cohiba Cigars are manufactured.
• Made from what is often called the best tobacco in the world these famous cigars are not as myth would have it, rolled on the thighs of beautiful mulatto girls but on specially made wooden blocks.
• To the west of Havana don’t miss the chance to experience another slice of Cuban life - the rich tobacco lands of the Viñales Valley where thatched barns house drying tobacco leaves and lumbering oxen are still used to work the fields.
  
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• El Floridita was immortalised by Hemingway. The bar offers a mix of western and local dishes and is also famous for Daiquiri drinks including one named after its most famous patron. The ‘Papa Hemingway’ is not for the feint hearted as it comes with double rum and no sugar.
• La Bodequita del Medio has played host to various visitors down the years including, Hemingway, Fidel Castro, Nat King Cole and Errol Flynn. Opened in 1942 the restaurant also has a vast array of graffiti and signatures of actors, presidents and singers decorating the walls.
• If your looking for something a little bit more traditional Cuban then La 1647 Torre de La Chorrera on Maleon is worth a visit. The restaurant also has the added attraction of early weapons and artefacts adorning the walls.