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Fuente de los Leones

General sightseeing

CA Ranking: 3

Plaza de San Francisco, Habana Vieja

Designed in 1836 by Italian artist Giuseppe Gaggini, the Carrara marble Fuente del Conde de Villanueva is popularly known as “Fuente de los Leones” for its four lions, one to each corner, resting on pedestals with water flowing from their mouths. The fountain has been relocated several times, but always within the perimeter of the plaza. It has become a refuge for pigeons, as well as a backdrop for quinceañeras having their photos taken for their 15th birthday.

Plaza de Armas LH 5+

The early city was formally founded in 1519 on the northeast side of what would soon be laid out as Plaza de la Iglesia—named for the simple church that stood here until 1741, when it was destroyed fo …

Admission: NoneLimited by Obispo, O’Reilly, Cuba & Baratillo, Habana Vieja

Plaza de San Francisco LH 5+

Right across Havana harbor, Plaza de San Francisco is one of the first three built in the 16th century. It takes its name from the Franciscan convent built there. The plaza became the site of a market …

Oficios & Ave. del Puerto, Habana Vieja

Catedral de La Habana LH 5+

The entry of the Jesuits in Cuba was formally requested in 1656, and in 1727, a plot was granted for their school and church. Bishop Brother Gerónimo Valdés explained to the King of Spain that Havana’ …

BaroqueAdmission: FreeOpen: 10:30am-3pm Mon-SunEmpedrado #156 e/ San Ignacio y Mercaderes, Habana Vieja

The Malecón LH 5+

The Malecón, first named Avenida del Golfo, is Cuba’s most famous sea-side avenue. The project was undertaken by Don Francisco de Albear, Cuba’s greatest engineer at the time. Albear came up with a co …

Malecón from La Punta to the mouth of Río Almendares

Iglesia de Jesús de Miramar LH 5

Opened in 1953, this is Cuba’s second largest church, which is visible for several blocks due to its vast dome built in Roman-Byzantine style. The Jesús de Miramar church boasts 14 large mural paintin …

OtherOpen: 9am-noon, 4-6pm daily; Mass: 9am Mon-Fri; 9am, 5pm Sat-Sun; To visit at other times, enter via the sacristy5ta #8003 entre 80 y 82

Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula LH 5

In 1664 the Presbyter of the Cathedral of Havana, don Nicolás Estévez Borges, ordered the construction of a chapel devoted to Saint Francis of Paola (founder of the Roman Catholic Order of the Minims) …

BaroqueAdmission: FreeAvenida del Puerto, esq. a San Ignacio, Habana Vieja

Edificio Bacardí LH 5

The first and main exponent of art deco in the city belonged to Emilio Bacardí and was the home to his famous rum company. After winning the contest held by Bacardí, architects E. Rodríguez, R. Fernán …

Art DecoAdmission: FreeOpen: 9am-9pm dailyMonserrate esq. a San Juan de Dios, Habana Vieja

Museo de la Ciudad (Palacio de los Capitanes Generales) LH 5

History & architecture Considered the most important example of baroque architecture in the city, this grand building on the west side of the plaza was built in 1792, on the sight of the former pa …

BaroqueAdmission: CUC 3Open: 9am-6pm dailyCuba e/ Obispo y O’Reilly, Habana Vieja

Universidad de La Habana LH 4

With Brother Tomás Linares del Castillo as its first rector, the first university in Cuba, the Real y Pontificia Universidad de San Gerónimo de La Habana, was created in 1728. After several reforms, t …

EclecticL entre San Rafael y 27 de Noviembre

Casa del Conde de Casa Lombillo LH 4

A beautiful façade with a huge arched portal, a loggia supported by thick columns on pedestals, and beautiful mediopunto stained-glass windows above define this two-story 18th-century building on Plaz …

ColonialAdmission: n-aSan Ignacio # 364, Habana Vieja

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