One of the 15 municipalities forming Havana in Club, Old Havana is at the heart of the city. Touted as one of the most impressive historical cities in the Caribbean, Old Havana is known for its narrow streets and architectural structures mainly built by the Spanish.
Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish conqueror Panfilo de Narvaez. A few years later, the city was attacked and burnt down by French pirates. Once they left, the Spanish realised the importance of defending the city and started building fortresses (some of the oldest in the Americas) and walls. By the 17th Century, Havana had become one of Caribbean’s main centres for ship-building.
Old Havana’s original layout is still intact, except the walls that were broken down to expand the city. Divided into five plazas – Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza del Cristo, and Plaza de la Catedral – there are over 900 historical buildings in Old Havana. The city’s neoclassical, baroque and art deco architectural styles stand testimony to Havana’s Caribbean, French, British, and Spanish roots.
Due to conservation efforts in the 19th and 20th Centuries, the architecture of Old Havana has stood the test of time. Today, tourists from all over the world throng to Old Havana to capture a glimpse of the historical city and its many architectural buildings.
Picture Credit : Google