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.

    
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    Hotel Telégrafo  LH 2+

    Initially located on Amistad Street and relocated in 1899 to its present site, the Telégrafo Hotel was rebuilt in 1911 and was considered then one of the most modern hotels in Havana. In 2001 it was r …

    Casa de Asia

    Casa de Asia  LH 2

    Opened in 1997, this small museum—upstairs in a townhouse mansion built in 1688—displays collections that depict the lifestyle, dress, religious beliefs, rituals and traditions from different Asiatic …

    Banco de La Habana

    Banco de La Habana  LH 2

    This 1915 two-story building was made of reinforced concrete. Its façade was composed of elements of the Ionic order and stood out because of its semicircular portico and its beautiful wooden door, wh …

    Parque de la Fraternidad

    Parque de la Fraternidad  LH 2

    By 1790, this originally mangrove swampy area became Campo de Marte, a military practice range, which was expanded in 1793 thanks to a project by Belgian engineer Agustin Cramer. And after Bishop Espa …

    Parque de los Mártires Universitarios

    Parque de los Mártires Universitarios  LH 2

    This cement park was built in 1967 to honor university students involved in Cuba’s independence struggles. The most notable element, located by the most important entrance, can be interpreted a fist, …

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    Cárcel de la Habana  LH 2

    Up until 1834 there were no prisons in Havana. Back then, prisoners were crammed together in a small area on the Palacio de Gobierno’s basement. With this in mind, Lieutenant General Miguel Tacón, Gov …

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    Muelle de Luz-Ferry a Regla  LH 1

    This tiny ferry dock takes its name from Calle Luz, a nearby street. Somewhat battered passenger ferries shuttle across the bay to and from Regla and Casablanca, every 10-15 minutes or so.

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    Apartment building  LH 1

    Constructed on piles–a solution that is essentially in the style of Le Corbusier, which apart from transmitting a sort of lightness to the building, makes the corner lose its traditional compactness; …

    Unión Árabe de Cuba

    Unión Árabe de Cuba  LH 1

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    Solimar Building  LH 1

    An interesting and typical example of the Streamline movement which preferred rounded corners and a sensation of motion can be seen in this building built in 1944. The recovery of simple forms and the …

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