Fototeca de Cuba

CA4
Art Gallery / Studio
CA Ranking: 4
Best for: The largest, most valuable collection of Cuban photographs. Great exhibitions.
Open: 10am-5pm Tues-Sat
Admission: Free
Mercaderes # 307 e/ Muralla y Teniente Rey, Habana Vieja
(+53)7862 - 2530
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    Inaugurated in 1986 to preserve, study and promote Cuba’s photographic heritage, Fototeca de Cuba, mid-way along the east side of the plaza, boasts the nation’s largest, most valuable collection of Cuban photographs as well as a considerable amount of documents related to the history of photography. Although its exhibit space is extremely modest, Fototeca—housed in the former Casa de Juan Mata—holds around 12 exhibitions a year in its two galleries. The ground floor Galería Joaquín Blez is mostly devoted to works by young neophyte photographers. Upstairs the Galería María Eugenia Haya exhibits works by established Cuban photographers as well as international figures.

     

    The center also hosts a number of events, including lectures, classes, workshops and competitions aimed at promoting young photographers in Cuba and overseas, and to encouraging the development of national photography. Noviembre Fotográfico, an event promoted by this institution, occupies most of Havana’s exhibition rooms throughout November. The screening of photographs of the Fototeca’s collections on the walls of building in Plaza Vieja has become a very popular event during Noviembre Fotográfico.

    
  • Museo Nacional de Historia Natural

    Museo Nacional de Historia Natural  LH 3

    Despite appearing to be of the colonial era, the building on the plaza’s southwest side dates from the early 20th-century, when it served as the U.S. Embassy in the years immediately following indepen …

    Parque Mariana Grajales

    Parque Mariana Grajales  LH 3

    Ocupying a whole block in El Vedado, Mariana Grajales Park is right across the Saúl delgado High School. The monument in the center of the park is that of Mariana Grajales, mother of Lt. General Anton …

    Escuela Nacional de Ballet

    Escuela Nacional de Ballet  LH 3

    This is the biggest ballet school in the world and the most prestigious one in Cuba, with approximately 3,000 students. The school goes back to 1931 with the creation of the Escuela Nacional de Ballet …

    Casa Natal de José Martí

    Casa Natal de José Martí  LH 3

    This is a modest residence dating from the early 19th century whose fundamental worth stems from its being the birthplace of Cuban National Heroe José Martí. Architecturally, its interest lies in the …

    Memorial a las Víctimas del Maine

    Memorial a las Víctimas del Maine  LH 3

    This is a memorial in front of the Hotel Nacional dedicated to the 266 people who died when the second-class pre-dreadnought armor cruiser USS Maine sank due to an explosion in Havana harbor on Februa …

    Casa Museo de África

    Casa Museo de África  LH 3

    The 17th-century townhouse mansion at Obrapia #157 originally served as a shop selling snuff. Today, as the House of Africa, it displays objects of different African cultures, especially ivory carving …

    Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio

    Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio  LH 3

    Located on Loma del Angel, or Angel Hill, the church was originally built in the second half of the 17th century and expanded with two lateral naves in the mid-18th century. After having been largely …

    Galería Villa Manuela

    Galería Villa Manuela  LH 3

    Opened in 2004, Galería Villa Manuela was created to exhibit and promote works by members of UNEAC. This contemporary gallery hosts at least 10 exhibitions a year with works by artists of all ages and …

    Casa-Museo Simón Bolívar

    Casa-Museo Simón Bolívar  LH 3

    Housed in a former colonial mansion built from 1806 to 1817, the Casa-Museo del Libertador Simón Bolívar is dedicated to honoring the “Great Liberator” who led the Latin American nations’ independence …

    Casa de la Comedia

    Casa de la Comedia  LH 3

    Tucked down a cobble-side street around the corner from the Depósito del Automóvil is the “House of Comedy.” Plays were first performed here in 1778. Today, it promotes new Cuban plays. Admission deta …

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