Havana, Cuba
Registration Year
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Historical Function
Administrative Status
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Location and site
Historical Reference
- Soon after the foundation of Havana in 1519, the Spanish undertook the fortification of the site to protect it from repeated attacks by pirates and privateers in 1528, 1555 and 1563. The process of construction and reconstruction continued over a period of four centuries. In the 16th century, the layout of the Plaza de Armas was established and three other urban squares were added as the base of Havana's original urban plan. By the end of the century, the Castello de Morro was erected at the entrance of the port.
- In the 17th century, Havana was already the foremost centre for naval construction in the West Indies. Its economic role began to outweigh its strategic role as its port became the transit point for shipping gold and silver from Mexico and Peru to European destinations. New fortresses, convents and churches were erected.
- Havana was taken over by the English in 1762 and reconquered by the Spanish in 1763. The famous Fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña (1772-1774) was constructed later, as were several palaces. The Cathedral was built at the end of the 18th century. The Plaza de Armas was the nucleus of the city in the 19th century.
Urban Morphology
An artery runs alongside the sea and up against the contours of Havana's landscape. The overall plan, composed of narrow, rectilinear streets, is organised according to an orthogonal grid. The four squares that formed the basis of the urban design, including the Plaza de Armas which served as the nucleus of the city, are situated near the port.
Baroque and Neoclassical architecture make up the monumental fabric of the old city. The Cathedral and the important civic monuments, including the municipal palace of the 18th century, are of Baroque inspiration, as are a number of urban ensembles, such as the Plaza Vieja. These are complemented by seigneurial homes of Neoclassical styling. The houses are decorated with ironwork and arcades.
Registration Criteria
Criteria IV and V are cited without details.
Evaluation of ICOMOS
Contact
| Dip. Marta Hernández Romero Presidente de la Asamblea Provincial del Poder Popular de la Ciudad de La Habana | Poder Popular de la Habana Av. de las Misiones, n° 25 La Habana Vieja, Cuba | Tel: +53.7 867 0534 / 867 0573-76 Fax: +53.7 867 0535 Email: |
| Lic. Perdomo Manso Ramón Zenen Director | Dirección de Relaciones Internacionales Calle G No. 305 entre 13 y 15, Vedado Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba 10100 | Tel: +53.7 838 2886 Fax: +53.7 833 5135 Email: relint@ch.gov.cu |
| Arq. Patricia Rodríguez Alomá Directora | Plan Maestro para la Revitalización Integral de La Habana Vieja Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana Palacio del Conde de Casa Lombillo Empedrado # 151. La Habana Vieja La Habana Vieja, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba 10100 | Tel: +53.7 860 4311-14 Fax: +53.7 866 3744 Email: patricia@planmaestro.ohc.cu |
| Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana | Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana Avenida del Puerto esq. Obrapia, La Habana Vieja La Habana Vieja, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba 10 100 | Tel: +53.7 862 6522 / 863 9862 Fax: +53.7 866 80 75 Email: ohc@ohc.cu |
| Lic. Pablo Fornet Gil Vicedirector | Plan Maestro-Oficina del Historiador Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana, Palacio del Conde de Casa de Lombillo, Empedrado No. 151 esq. Mercaderes. La Habana Vieja La Habana, Ciudad de La Habana, Cuba 10100 | Tel: +53.7 860 4311 Fax: +53.7 866 3744 Email: pablo@planmaestro.ohc.cu |