Palace sights in Havana
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A
Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales
Filling the whole west side of the Plaza de Armas, this former palace is one of Cuba’s most majestic baroque buildings. It stands on the site of Habana’s original church, the Parroquial Mayor, which was established in 1574 but was damaged by the explosion of the Invencible in Habana harbor in 1741. Due to ongoing damage, the church was subsequently demolished in 1776. The current building dates from the late 1770s and it has served many purposes over the years. From 1791 until 1898, it was the residence of the Spanish captains general. From 1899 until 1902, the US military governors were based here, and during the first two decades of the 20th century the building bri…
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B
Palacio del Segundo Cabo
Wedged into the square’s northwest corner is the Palacio del Segundo Cabo, constructed in 1772 as the headquarters of the Spanish vice-governor. After several reincarnations as a post office, palace of the Senate, Supreme Court, the National Academy of Arts and Letters, and the seat of the Cuban Geographical Society, the building is today a well-stocked bookstore. Pop-art fans should take a look at the Sala Galería Raúl Martínez.
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C
Palacio de Los Condes de Santovenia
Habaguanex’ five-star Hotel Santa Isabel is a historic building in its own right and a former stately palace of the counts of Santovenia. It dates from the 1780s and was converted into a luxurious hotel in 1867, making it one of Habana’s oldest hotels. Habaguanex gave the place a much needed makeover in the 1990s, which was good enough for ex-US president Jimmy Carter, who stayed here during his groundbreaking 2002 visit.
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D
Palacio del Marqués de Arcos
Completed in 1746, this luxurious former residential mansion is a perfect example of a typical Spanish-American colonial house, with a spacious main room with a wide staircase that hugs two walls as it winds up to the 2nd floor. Five arcades of Doric columns adorn the ground floor and lovely porticoes above the arcades overlook the square. The main entrance to the building is on Calle Mercaderes.
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E
Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras
Situated on the western side of the Plaza is the majestic Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras, a one-time baroque palace completed in 1760 and widely lauded for the beauty of its shady Andalucian patio. Today it houses the Restaurante El Patio.
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