Manzana de Gómez

CA4
General sightseeing
Architectural style: Eclectic
CA Ranking: 4
Admission: n-a
Limited by Neptuno, Monserrate, Obispo and Zulueta Streets, Habana Vieja
  • Owned by Julián de Zulueta, construction work began in 1890 according to the project designed by architect Pedro Tomé Veracruisse; however, still unfinished, it was sold to Andrés Gómez Mena, who completed the first floor. Four other floors were subsequently added from 1916 to 1918, all of which were designed around a central courtyard, which ensured natural lighting and ventilation. The ground floor, which was surrounded by wide galleries with inner passageways that met in a rotunda, was set aside for shops, while the upper floors housed business offices, law firms, notary’s offices and other. It held over 500 departments and it was estimated that a floating population of 25,000 people would visit the place every day.

    (under restoration)

    
  • 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, …

    Cárcel de la Habana

    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 …

    Casa del Científico (Casa de José Miguel Gómez)

    Casa del Científico (Casa de José Miguel Gómez)  LH 2

    The compact yet extravagant Beaux Arts building on the northwest corner of Prado and Trocadero was once the residence of Cuba’s second president, José Miguel Gómez, known as ‘El Tiburón’ (The Shark). …

    Museo Farmacia Taquechel

    Museo Farmacia Taquechel  LH 2

    This townhouse was adapted in 1898 into a pharmacy by Francisco Taquechel. Restored and reopened in 1996, it functions as pharmacy and museum. Its collection includes 19th-century French porcelain apo …

    Edificio del Seguro Médico

    Edificio del Seguro Médico  LH 2

    This is one of the most significant exponents of the trends in architecture in Havana of its time. According to architect Pedro Martínez Inclán, “Quintana can boast about having given Havana…two build …

    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 …

    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 …

    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 …

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