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City Guide - Havana - Key Attractions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Key Attractions La Habana Vieja (Old Havana) The Plaza de la Catedral is one of the most beautiful and best preserved squares in Havana with the surrounding buildings almost all restored to their original splendour. The Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana is an attractive eighteenth-century baroque building that dominates the north side of the square. Housed in the oldest building in the square, dating from 1720, is the Museo de Arte Colonial, an architectural masterpiece, built around a central courtyard containing tropical plants, and complemented by the collection of colonial furniture from the grand mansions. Other sophisticated houses line the square house cafés, restaurants and the post office. A few blocks away is the charming Plaza de Armas, once the seat of government, now a place to just relax, in the majestic setting of the stately buildings, and watch the world go by. The Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) now occupies the magnificent old Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, once home of the highest colonial authority in Cuba and a former Presidential Palace. This popular museum gives an overview of the history of Havana from its founding until the present day. The oldest building in the square is the impressive Castillo de le Real Fuerza, a sixteenth-century colonial fortress surrounded by a moat, today home to the Museo de la Ceramica Artistica Cubana. As the public transport is unreliable, it is best to visit attractions either by taxi or to walk there. Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana Plaza de la Catedral Opening hours: Officially open every day but quite often firmly locked. Admission: Free. Museo de Arte Colonial 61 San Ignacio, Plaza de la Catedral Tel: (7) 626 440. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1900. Admission: US$2. Museo de la Ciudad Calle Tacon, between Obispo and Calle O'Reilly Tel: (7) 615 001. Opening hours: Daily 0930-1830. Admission: US$3. Museo de la Ceramica Artistica Corner of Calle O'Reilly and Avenido del Puerto Opening hours: Daily 0900-1700. Admission: US$1. Museo de la Revolucion y Memorial Granma (Museum of the Revolution and Granma Memorial) Housed in the glorious, former presidential palace of the 1950s dictator Batista, the Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the struggle of the Cuban people to gain sovereignty. Exhibits include photographs, cinefilm, original documents and weapons. In the garden is the Granma Memorial -the boat 'Granma' in which Fidel Castro and over 80 combatants returned to Cuba from exile in Mexico in 1956. 1 Refugio, Habana Vieja Tel: (7) 624 091. Opening hours: Tuess 1000-1800, Wed-Sun 1000-1700. Admission: US$3. Hotel Ambos Mundos It may seem strange to include a hotel in the sightseeing section, but the Hotel Ambos Mundos, a stylish 1920s building, played host to Ernest Hemingway during much of the 1930s. In room 511, he began to write For Whom the Bell Tolls and the room has been left pretty much as it was when Hemingway was a guest, including his typewriter. The hotel reopened a few years ago after major renovations and has a lovely rooftop terrace bar to enjoy the view after seeing Hemingway's room. 153 Obispo, Mercederes Tel: (7) 669 529. Transport: Easily reached by taxi or on foot from central hotels. Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1700. Admission: US$2. |
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