Blog posts tagged with 'architecture'

Havana architecture: four buildings that helped define the city

Now that Havana airport has reopened visitors to Cuba can once again experience the architectural gems of the enchanting capital city. Read on to find out more.

Jeremy John

Havana architecture: four buildings that helped define the city

Cuba's tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Jeremy John

Cuba's tentative UNESCO World Heritage Sites

There are currently three sites that have been placed on the Tentative List for UNESCO to consider becoming World Heritage Sites. Here I will briefly explore the three places that are on this list, all of which have a strong claim to become UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Ten fun facts about the Grand Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso

Jeremy John

Ten fun facts about the Grand Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso

The Grand Theatre of Havana Alicia Alonso - "Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso" in Spanish - stands proud in heart of Havana, and is the country’s most prestigious location for opera, ballet and performing arts. It is home to the Cuban National Ballet company. Its history dates back to 1837 when it was constructed as the Tacòn Theatre. The theatre was expanded and renovated in 1914 into the building you can see today, which is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque Revival architecture in Cuba.

Jeremy John

Ten fun facts about Havana Cathedral

Situated in the heart of the Old Havana and dominating the popular Cathedral Square is one of Havana’s most photographed historic landmarks: Havana Cathedral. The building was constructed between 1748 and 1777, and has enchanted the city ever since. The seminal Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier once described its appearance as ‘music set in stone,’ and if those stones could talk, they would certainly have plenty of stories to tell. Here are ten fun facts to fill you in on this magnificent place.

El Capitolio: Ten fun facts about Havana's most photographed building

Jeremy John

El Capitolio: Ten fun facts about Havana's most photographed building

Classic images of Havana usually involve vintage North American cars driving along old backstreets, perhaps with a musical instrument or someone smoking a cigar in the background. If the photographer or the artist decides to choose an iconic building to feature in the backdrop, they usually go for El Capitolio. Its enormous dome is iconic, marking the Havana skyline like St Paul’s Cathedral marks London or St Peter’s Basilica marks Rome.

Jeremy John

Ten fun facts about Cristo de La Habana

When it comes to colossal outdoor statues of Jesus Christ, Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer is often the first one that springs to mind. But Havana’s own version, "Cristo de La Habana" (literally: "Christ of Havana"), is not to be missed. In fact, when you are visiting Havana it is nearly impossible to miss it, as it stands majestically on the hilltop looking down upon the city from across the bay.