WHS Logo

Old Havana

Old Havana
Old Havana and its Fortifications represent a historically important colonial city. Havana was founded by the Spanish in 1519 in the natural harbor of the Bay of Havana. It became a stopping point for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons on the crossing between the New World and the Old World.

The designated area consists of a set of 18 fortifications along the coast and the harbour, the old city center (Habana Vieja) and 19th century extensions. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza is the the oldest extant colonial fortress in the Americas. Other important remaining castles include Castillo del Morro, La Cabaña fortress and San Salvador de la Punta Fortress.

The pattern of the early urban setting has survived in the historic centre. Havana's urban plan consists of a string of small squares and four large squares. Havana expanded greatly in the 17th century. During this period the city built civic monuments and religious constructions. Now, with over 2 million inhabitants, it is the largest city in the Caribbean.

Year Decision Comments
1982 Inscribed Reasons for inscription



Visit January 2012

Havana wasn't really what I had expected. The included area spans only the Habana Vieja quarter and the fortresses. On my first morning in the city I walked and walked, thinking "where is it going to start?". I finally arrived at the much restored Plaza Vieja. Most of the streets in the core of Habana Vieja have been renovated as well. I had anticipated a bustling atmosphere, but this is just a couple of brushed up Spanish colonial houses. White, camera-toting tourists I met in abundance.

The full name of the WHS is "Old Havana and its Fortifications", and it were these Fortifications that I came to truly enjoy. The best two are on the other side of the harbour: Morro and Cabana. It's a nice and quiet area to walk in, and the views on the city are spectacular. Morro has an interesting exhibition about the travels of Columbus, and models of other fortifications around Cuba. There even is a good restaurant (12 Apostles). All around the harbour and coast smaller and bigger forts were built during various centuries, and you can still see them.

Inspired by the recent Connection "Equestrian Statues", I was attracted to a huge statue of a man on a horse that can be seen from the fortresses on the other side. This one, of Maximo Gomez (a general during the Ten Years' War and the War of Independence) probably is the most majestic one that I have ever seen. It was sculpted by an Italian, very neoclassical.

More photos can be found in the Picture Gallery

line

Reviews

Messy (USA):
¡¡¡Silenc-YO!!!

The crowd at the Castle of the Three Kings of the Orient is larger than one would expect for a daily event, but the evening is lovely and there’s really no reason to avoid just hanging out with friends after a hard day’s work, or touring. The sun has just set and the show is starting…

¡¡¡Silenc-YO!!!

A soldier clad in 18th century uniform walks through the crowd wielding a torch, which he juggles like a bowling pin. This is the first part of an age-old ceremony, where the Spanish army would warn pirates that they weren’t welcome. Calling for silence in this solemn event, he’s soon joined by others similar dress. One carries a cannonball, the other gunpowder. They do their job and ker-POW!

That’s it. The ceremony’s over and the crowd begins to disperse, but one cannot help but think that what they were really aiming at was not ancient buccaneers, but Florida 90 miles to the northeast. This is Cuba, America’s nemesis, and forbidden fruit for tens of thousands of Yankee tourists every year. The government won’t let us go. What better reason to try?

It's possible to do it legally, and I did just as the Bush administration cracked down. Obama made it slightly legal again, but Romney might clamp down again....
Date posted: July 2012
stewart ayu (canada):
I visited old Havana and the impressive fortifications of 'el morro' in November 2008. The old city is really impressive and some of the colonial buildings are being restored. One can attend Mass at the main church and the old plazas are a reminder of how important Havana was in the trade with Seville during the Spanish Golden Age. Adding to old Havana's charm is the Caribbean and tropical flair and the strange timewarp presented by all that remains from pre revolutionary Cuba.
Date posted: March 2009
():
The atmosphere walking around the old Habana was unique for me:buildings of outstanding beauty in complete "decadanza" create an almost theatrical scenery.But the more I wandered around I had the strong impression that the beauty of this town is due to non preservesion. If everything will be preserved (one day after Castro's death)all this rough magic will go away.
 
Ole Brandt ():
Havana and old Havana is a marvelus city, it is orriginal but vornt dawn, but stil intact as it was build only white few new buildings, and the building they have restorated is buiteful white atmosfear from teh old time. I have been ther menny times I love thet city more and more.
 


Have you been to Old Havana and its Fortifications? Share your experiences!

Add your own review