Other sights in Havana
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Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
An 18th-century colossus, the FortalezadeSan Carlosde la Cabaña was built between 1763 and 1774 on a long, exposed ridge on the east side of Havana harbor to fill a weakness in the city’s defenses. In 1762 the British had taken Havana by gaining control of this strategically important ridge and it was from here that they shelled the city mercilessly into submission. In order to prevent a repeat performance, the Spanish King Carlos III ordered the construction of a massive fort that would repel future invaders. Measuring 700m from end to end and covering a whopping 10 hectares, it is the largest Spanish colonial fortress in the Americas.
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Señora Amelia Goyri
After entering the neo-Romanesque northern gateway (1870), there’s the tomb of independence leader General Máximo Gómez (1905) on the right (look for the bronze face in a circular medallion). Further along past the first circle, and also on the right, are the monument to the firefighters (1890) and the neo-Romanesque Capilla Central (1886) in the center of the cemetery. Just northeast of this chapel is the graveyard’s most celebrated (and visited) tomb, that of Señora Amelia Goyri, better known as La Milagrosa (the miraculous one), who died while giving birth on May 3, 1901. The marble figure of a woman with a large cross and a baby in her arms is easy to find, due…
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Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes Magnos del Morro
The imposing Castillo de los TresSantosReyes MagnosdelMorro was erected between 1589 and 1630 to protect the entrance to Havana harbor from pirates and foreign invaders (French corsair Jacques de Sores had sacked the city in 1555). Perched high on a rocky bluff above the ebbing Atlantic, the fort’s irregular polygonal shape, 3m-thick walls and deep protective moat offer a classic example of Renaissance military architecture. For more than a century the fort withstood numerous attacks by French, Dutch and English privateers, but in 1762, after a 44-day siege, a 14,000-strong British force captured El Morro by attacking from the landward side. The Castillo’s famous ligh…
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Instituto Superior de Arte
The leading art academy in Cuba is the Instituto Superior de Arte, established in the former Havana Country Club in 1961 and elevated to the status of institute in 1976. The cluster of buildings – some unfinished, some half-restored, but all gloriously graceful due to the arches, domes and profuse use of red brick – was the brainchild of Che Guevara and a team of architects. Among them was Ricardo Porro, who designed the striking Facultad de Artes Plásticas (1961) with long curving passageways and domed halls in the shape of a reclining woman. Some 800 students study here, and foreigners can too.
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Eduardo Chibás
The tomb of Orthodox Party leader Eduardo Chibás is worth a visit. During the 1940s and early ’50s Chibás was a relentless crusader against political corruption, and as a personal protest he committed suicide during a radio broadcast in 1951. At his burial ceremony a young Orthodox Party activist named Fidel Castro jumped atop Chibás’ grave and made a fiery speech denouncing the old establishment – the political debut of the most influential Cuban of the 20th century.
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Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón
Declared a national monument in 1987, this cemetery is one of Latin America’s most fascinating, renowned for its striking religious iconography and elaborate marble statues. Far from being eerie, a walk through these 56 hallowed hectares can be an educational and emotional stroll through the annals of Cuban history. A guidebook with a detailed map (CUC$5) is for sale at the entrance.
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Museo del Ron
You don’t have to be an Añejo Reserva quaffer to enjoy the MuseodelRon in the Fundación Havana Club, but it probably helps. The museum, with its bilingual guided tour showing rum-making antiquities and the complex brewing process, gets mixed reviews from travelers, though most give a hearty thumbs-up to the popular dancing lessons held here weekday mornings.
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Catedral Ortodoxa Nuestra Señora de Kazán
One of Havana’s newest buildings is the beautiful gold-domed Catedral Ortodoxa Nuestra Señora de Kazán, a Russian Orthodox church built in the early 2000s and consecrated at a ceremony attended by Raúl Castro in October 2008. The church was part of an attempt to reignite Russian-Cuban relations after they went sour in 1991.
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Museo del Ferrocarril
Out on a limb but worth a diversion for railway enthusiasts is the MuseodelFerrocarril, housed in the old Cristina train station built in 1859. There’s a big collection of signaling and communication gear here plus old locos from various eras including La Junta, dating from 1843. Train rides are available by prior appointment.
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Museo 28 Septiembre de los CDR
The new Museo 28 Septiembre de los CDR dedicates two floors to the nationwide Comites de la Defensa de la Revolución (CDR; Committees for the Defense of the Revolution). Commendable neighborhood-watch schemes, or grassroots spying agencies? You decide.
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Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica
At Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, Cuba has developed breakthrough neurological treatments. The installation is heavily guarded, so unless you’re patient, don’t even think about visiting.
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Sevando Galería del Arte
This cool gallery is in an arty part of town and displays some interesting modern paintings and prints. Be sure to check out the Cuban movie-poster gallery on the other side of the cinema (two doors away).
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Museo del Aire
Museo del Aire has 22 planes and helicopters on display, most of them ex-military aircraft. Don’t miss Che Guevara’s personal Cessna 310, or the space suit used by Cuba’s first cosmonaut.
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Escuela Nacional de Ballet
The neoclassical Escuela Nacional de Ballet, Alicia Alonso’s famous ballet school, is a notable Prado building.
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Galería de Arte Latinoamericano
Situated inside the Casa de las Américas and featuring art from all over Latin America.
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Centro Cultural Cinematográfico
To see a different side of Havana, hang out with the arty crowd at the Centro Cultural Cinematográfico in Vedado, a hive of talented creativity and youthful energy. The HQ of the Instituto Cubano del Arte e Industria Cinematográficos (Icaic), the center hosts film premieres, discussion nights, art expos, live music and is home to Havana’s best DVD movie outlet. The adjacent Café Fresa y Chocolate is a great place to get acquainted with the Icaic’s movers and shakers, especially on Wednesday nights when there’s an excellent live clarinet quartet. The most enlightening shows are the interactive debate nights known as El Último Jueves de Cada Mes (The Last Thursday of Each …
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