Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio

CA3
Church / other
Architectural style: Gothic revival
CA Ranking: 3
Open: 9am-6pm Tues-Sun
Admission: Free
Compostela y Cuarteles or Avenida de las Misiones y Cuarteles, Habana Vieja
  • 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 destroyed in 1844 due to a hurricane, the church was rebuilt from 1866 to 1871 in the beautiful Gothic Revival style we see today. It is easy discernible for its many pinnacles. Although the church’s main entrance is on Compostela, you can enter through the more visible door on Avenida de las Misiones (Monserrate), which interestingly is right next to the altar. Two of Cuba’s most outstanding sons, Félix Varela and José Martí, were baptized here. This alone gives the church an enormous historical value. Also, it was the setting for the climax scene of Cecilia Valdés, the most important romantic novel of Latin American 19th-century literature, written by Cuban author Cirilo Villaverde.

    Opening hours: 9am-noon & 3-6pm Tues-Sun

    
  • Parque Maceo

    Parque Maceo  LH 2

    Dominating the Malecón to the west, at the foot of Belascoaín (Avenida Padre Varela), is the massive bronze monument to Antonio Maceo, on top of a marble base in a plaza with a fountain. The classical …

    Memorial a los Estudiantes de Medicina

    Memorial a los Estudiantes de Medicina  LH 2

    Inaugurated in 1890, this memorial is a shrine to eight medical students who were executed by firing squad on November 27, 1871, after being falsely accused of desecrating the tomb of Spanish journali …

    Aqvarivm

    Aqvarivm  LH 2

    This modest aquarium has over 90 different species of freshwater fish and aquatic plants, displayed in small tanks. Tropical fish tanks are popular in many Cuban family homes and fish can be purchased …

    Edificio Rodríguez Vázquez

    Edificio Rodríguez Vázquez  LH 2

    This 1941 building repeats the structure of lines that emphasize verticality and includes a small two story-tower. Initially known as the Rodríguez Vázquez Building, it included two cinemas, a café-re …

    Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de La Habana

    Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de La Habana  LH 2

    The Institute of Secondary Education of Havana was founded in 1863 and originally located on Calle Obispo. It was later moved to this site in 1924 as part of the construction program for the area in t …

    Museo Yoruba de Cuba

    Museo Yoruba de Cuba  LH 2

    Created by, and housed in the headquarters of, the Asociación Cultural Yoruba de Cuba, this museum is dedicated to santería and features sculptures representing the different Afro-Cuban orishas (saint …

    Estación Central de Ferrocarriles

    Estación Central de Ferrocarriles  LH 1

    The building of the railway station, expression of the Spanish plateresque style, was built in 1912 on the site of the former Armory. It has four floors with 77 windows and the main entrance is rounde …

    Terracota 4

    Terracota 4  LH 1

    This is the studio-gallery of ceramicists Amelia Carballo and Ángel Norniella. Their work shows a wide variety of influences and techniques, including the millenary raku, and as the name suggests focu …

    Memorial a Julio Antonio Mella

    Memorial a Julio Antonio Mella  LH 1

    Across from the Universidad de La Habana is this memorial, often used to make concerts and for political or student rallies. It holds the ashes of Julio Antonio Mella, a young student leader and found …

    Museo de Orfebrería

    Museo de Orfebrería  LH 1

    The museum displays a collection of silver walking sticks, swords and other items of metalwork by Cuban silversmiths from the 15th-20th centuries. Especially interesting are the pieces from the coloni …

    « 21 of 22 pages »