Architecture in Havana
site created by Richenda Brim for Howard Besser's class IS 208
SELECTED HISTORIC STRUCTURES
Castillo de la Real Fuerza
The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is the oldest fortress in Cuba, constructed between 1558 and 1577. The tower, completed in 1632, is topped by La Giraldilla, a sculpture of Governor Hernando de Soto's wife and a recognized symbol of Havana.
Church and Monastery of San Francisco de Asis
Begun in 1730 for the order of San Francisco. The tower was completed at the end of the 18th century.
Customs House
The Customs House was built on the Plaza de San Francisco in 1914 by the American architecture firm, Barclay, Parsons and Klapp.
Presidential Palace
The Presidential Palace dates from 1913-1920. It was built by Paul Belau and Carlos Maruri. The building now houses the Museum of the Revolution.
Hotel Nacional
The American firm of McKim, Mead and White built this Mediterannean style structure in the 1930. It was the first luxury hotel built in Havana under the Republican regime.
Edificio Bacardi
The Edificio Bacardi, built in 1930, is one of Havana's first skyscrapers. This Art Deco style building was designed by the firm Castello, Ruenes and Menendez as the headquarters for the Bacardi family rum business.
Jose Marti Monument
In the 1950's this monument was raised in memory of Jose Marti (1853-1895). Marti died fighting in the revolution against Spain. The structure stands at the south end of Plaza de la Revolution and is the tallest monument in the Caribbean.
REFERENCES
Carley, Rachel. CUBA-400 years of Architectural Heritage (New York: Whitney Library of Design, 1997)
Gravette, Andrew. Architectural heritage of the Caribbean (Oxford, UK: Signal Books, 2000)
Montalvo, Maria Luisa Lobo. Havana: history and architecture of a romantic city (New York: Monacelli Press, 2000)
Stout, Nancy and Jorge Rigau. Havana (New York: Rizzoli, 1994)