Difference between revisions of "Old Havana" - New World Encyclopedia
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*[[Plaza de Armas]] is the plaza around which the city was built. Cities constructed by the Spanish [[Conquistadore]]s in the New World were designed in a standard military fashion based on a [[grid pattern]] surrounding a central plaza. It is surrounded by governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. The name derives from the fact that this are would be a refuge in case of an attack upon the city, from which arms would be supplied to the defenders. | *[[Plaza de Armas]] is the plaza around which the city was built. Cities constructed by the Spanish [[Conquistadore]]s in the New World were designed in a standard military fashion based on a [[grid pattern]] surrounding a central plaza. It is surrounded by governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. The name derives from the fact that this are would be a refuge in case of an attack upon the city, from which arms would be supplied to the defenders. | ||
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*[[Plaza Vieja]] was built in 1584. While it contains numerous landmarks, it differs from other plazas in that public and religious buildings are absent. Surrounding it were the homes of the city's colonial elite. Many of these homes fell into serious disrepair and are in various stages of restoration. The [[Casa de los Condes de Jaruco]] in this plaza has been fully restored and stands as an excellent example of a late colonial mansion. | *[[Plaza Vieja]] was built in 1584. While it contains numerous landmarks, it differs from other plazas in that public and religious buildings are absent. Surrounding it were the homes of the city's colonial elite. Many of these homes fell into serious disrepair and are in various stages of restoration. The [[Casa de los Condes de Jaruco]] in this plaza has been fully restored and stands as an excellent example of a late colonial mansion. | ||
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*[[Morro Castle (fortress)|Castillo del Morro]] is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay built in 1589. Perched on the promontory on the opposite side of the harbor from Old Havana it can be viewed from miles around as it dominates the port entrance. Built initially in response to raids on Havana harbor, el Morro protected the mouth of the harbor with a chain being strung out across the water to the fort at La Punta. It first saw action in the 1762 [[British expedition against Cuba]] when [[George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle|Lord Albemarle]] landed in Cojimar and attacked the fort defended by [[Luis Vicente de Velasco e Isla]] from its rear. It fell because the British could command the high ground. When the island was returned to Spanish rule in 1763, the [[La Cabaña|fort at La Cabaña]] was built to prevent this happening again. | *[[Morro Castle (fortress)|Castillo del Morro]] is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay built in 1589. Perched on the promontory on the opposite side of the harbor from Old Havana it can be viewed from miles around as it dominates the port entrance. Built initially in response to raids on Havana harbor, el Morro protected the mouth of the harbor with a chain being strung out across the water to the fort at La Punta. It first saw action in the 1762 [[British expedition against Cuba]] when [[George Keppel, 3rd Earl of Albemarle|Lord Albemarle]] landed in Cojimar and attacked the fort defended by [[Luis Vicente de Velasco e Isla]] from its rear. It fell because the British could command the high ground. When the island was returned to Spanish rule in 1763, the [[La Cabaña|fort at La Cabaña]] was built to prevent this happening again. | ||
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| − | The fortress served as both a military base and [[prison]] over the next two hundred years for both [[Spain]] and an independent [[Cuba]]. La Cabaña was used as a military prison during the [[Fulgencio Batista|Batista]] regime. In January 1959, rebels led by [[Che Guevara]] captured La Cabaña and used it as a headquarters for several months while leading the [[Cuban revolution]]. The complex is now part of a historical park, along with El Morro, and houses several [[museum]]s open to the public. | + | *[[La Cabaña]] is an 18th century [[fortress]] complex located on the elevated eastern side of Havana's harbor entrance and is the city's the most impressive fortress. Construction of La Cabaña was begun in 1763 by King [[Charles III of Spain|Carlos III]] of [[Spain]], the controlling [[colonialism|colonial power]] of Cuba, following the temporary capture of Havana by [[British Empire|British]] forces (an exchange was soon made to give Cuba back to the Spanish in exchange for [[Florida]]). Replacing earlier fortifications next to the 16th century [[Morro Castle (fortress)|El Morro]] fortress, La Cabaña was the largest colonial military installation in the [[New World]] by the time it was completed in 1774, at great expenses to Spain. The fortress served as both a military base and [[prison]] over the next two hundred years for both [[Spain]] and an independent [[Cuba]]. La Cabaña was used as a military prison during the [[Fulgencio Batista|Batista]] regime. In January 1959, rebels led by [[Che Guevara]] captured La Cabaña and used it as a headquarters for several months while leading the [[Cuban revolution]]. The complex is now part of a historical park, along with El Morro, and houses several [[museum]]s open to the public. |
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*[[San Salvador de la Punta Fortress]] is opposite the Castle of El Morro. Construction was begun in 1590. In 1595 a [[hurricane]] severely damaged the fortress. By 1602 reconstruction had not been completed, and it was decided to turn the structure into a keep, holding some 10 to 12 artillery pieces. In 1762 its safety curtains and bastions of were destroyed during the British invasion. When the Spanish resumed control of the island La Punta saw repair, and in the 19th century four esplanades built to accommodate a corresponding number of artillery pieces, were added at La Punta. | *[[San Salvador de la Punta Fortress]] is opposite the Castle of El Morro. Construction was begun in 1590. In 1595 a [[hurricane]] severely damaged the fortress. By 1602 reconstruction had not been completed, and it was decided to turn the structure into a keep, holding some 10 to 12 artillery pieces. In 1762 its safety curtains and bastions of were destroyed during the British invasion. When the Spanish resumed control of the island La Punta saw repair, and in the 19th century four esplanades built to accommodate a corresponding number of artillery pieces, were added at La Punta. | ||
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*[[Castillo de la Real Fuerza]] is set back from the harbor's entrance, and borders the [[Plaza de Armas, Havana|Plaza de Armas]]. The fortress is considered to be the oldest [[stone]] fortress in [[the Americas.]] A previous fortress, the Fuerza Vieja (Old Force), was badly damaged in 1555 during an attack on Havana by the French privateer [[Jacques de Sores]] and eventually was demolished in 1582. In 1558 [[Bartolomé Sánchez]], an engineer appointed by [[Phillip II of Spain]], began work on the new fortress, initially known as the ''Fuerza Nueva'' (New Force). The Fuerza Vieja was set back from the harbor, but the new fortress was planned to be closer to the harbor to give it a better strategic position. The ironworks were established in 1558, but the first stones were not laid until 1562. Construction was delayed due to complaints from local residents forced to relocate to make way for the building and from disagreements between Sánchez and the Governor of Havana. The fortress was not completed until 1577, with slaves and French prisoners providing most of the labor. Built of [[limestone]] quarried from the Havana shoreline, the fortification incorporated thick sloping walls, a moat and drawbridge. The governor, Francisco Carreño, ordered the addition an upper story as barracks and a munitions store, but on completion, the fortress proved to be too small for practical use. Despite being positioned closer to the harbor than the Fuerza Vieja, it quickly became apparent that the new fortress was still too distant from the mouth of the harbor to serve effectively as a defensive bulwark, so was instead adopted by [[Juan de Tejeda]] as the residence of the Governor of Havana. | *[[Castillo de la Real Fuerza]] is set back from the harbor's entrance, and borders the [[Plaza de Armas, Havana|Plaza de Armas]]. The fortress is considered to be the oldest [[stone]] fortress in [[the Americas.]] A previous fortress, the Fuerza Vieja (Old Force), was badly damaged in 1555 during an attack on Havana by the French privateer [[Jacques de Sores]] and eventually was demolished in 1582. In 1558 [[Bartolomé Sánchez]], an engineer appointed by [[Phillip II of Spain]], began work on the new fortress, initially known as the ''Fuerza Nueva'' (New Force). The Fuerza Vieja was set back from the harbor, but the new fortress was planned to be closer to the harbor to give it a better strategic position. The ironworks were established in 1558, but the first stones were not laid until 1562. Construction was delayed due to complaints from local residents forced to relocate to make way for the building and from disagreements between Sánchez and the Governor of Havana. The fortress was not completed until 1577, with slaves and French prisoners providing most of the labor. Built of [[limestone]] quarried from the Havana shoreline, the fortification incorporated thick sloping walls, a moat and drawbridge. The governor, Francisco Carreño, ordered the addition an upper story as barracks and a munitions store, but on completion, the fortress proved to be too small for practical use. Despite being positioned closer to the harbor than the Fuerza Vieja, it quickly became apparent that the new fortress was still too distant from the mouth of the harbor to serve effectively as a defensive bulwark, so was instead adopted by [[Juan de Tejeda]] as the residence of the Governor of Havana. | ||
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*[[Havana cathedral|Catedral de San Cristóbal]] is the most prominent building on the Plaza de la Catedral. Built in 1748 by order of the bishop from [[Salamanca]], [[Jose Felipe de Trespalacios]], it is said to be the only example of a baroque construction that possesses asymmetrical features - one of the towers is wider than the other. This particular feature was conceived in order to allow the water that tended to accumulate on the plaza to freely flow through the streets during the. | *[[Havana cathedral|Catedral de San Cristóbal]] is the most prominent building on the Plaza de la Catedral. Built in 1748 by order of the bishop from [[Salamanca]], [[Jose Felipe de Trespalacios]], it is said to be the only example of a baroque construction that possesses asymmetrical features - one of the towers is wider than the other. This particular feature was conceived in order to allow the water that tended to accumulate on the plaza to freely flow through the streets during the. | ||
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*[[National Capitol Building (Havana)|El Capitolio]], or the ''National Capitol Building'', was the seat of government in [[Cuba]] until after the [[Cuban Revolution]] in 1959, and is now home to the [[Cuban Academy of Sciences]]. Its design and name recall the [[United States Capitol]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in [[Havana]] until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue. | *[[National Capitol Building (Havana)|El Capitolio]], or the ''National Capitol Building'', was the seat of government in [[Cuba]] until after the [[Cuban Revolution]] in 1959, and is now home to the [[Cuban Academy of Sciences]]. Its design and name recall the [[United States Capitol]] in [[Washington, D.C.]], but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in [[Havana]] until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue. | ||
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*[[Galician Center]], of neobarroque style was built as a social club of the [[Galician people|Galician]] emigrants between 1907 and 1914. Built on the Theater Tacon (now known as Great Theater of Havana), it was inaugurated during the Carnival of 1838 with five masked dances. | *[[Galician Center]], of neobarroque style was built as a social club of the [[Galician people|Galician]] emigrants between 1907 and 1914. Built on the Theater Tacon (now known as Great Theater of Havana), it was inaugurated during the Carnival of 1838 with five masked dances. | ||
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Revision as of 07:45, 2 December 2008
| Old Havana and its Fortifications* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  Cuba
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iv, v |
| Reference | 204 |
| Region** | Latin America and the Caribbean |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 1982 (6th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
Old Havana (Spanish: La Habana Vieja) contains the main area of the original city of Havana. The positions of the original Havana city walls are the modern boundary area of the Old Havana.
Old Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the name also refers to one of the municipalities of the city of Havana, Cuba, with the latter's boundaries extending to the south and west beyond the original city. In 1982, La Habana Vieja was inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.A safeguarding campaign was launched a year later to restore the authentic character of the buildings.
EB: "...a residential area. It is richly endowed with historic buildings, representing architectural styles from the 16th through the 19th century. Covering some three square miles and hugging the harbour, Old Havana includes Spanish colonial structures, towering Baroque churches, and buildings in Neoclassic style, as well as commercial property and less pretentious homes on the fringes."
History
Spain established the city of Havana on the island of Cuba in 1519, one of the first cities in the western hemisphere to be founded by Europeans. The history of Havana spans three basic periods: the Spanish colonial period from 1519 to 1898; the American neocolonial period from 1898 to 1959; and the revolutionary period which began in 1960. The urban landscape clearly reflects elements of each of these periods.
It was the during the nearly 400-year colonial period that the core of the city was built in the Spanish colonial style. Its distinguished architecture led to it being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982.
File:Castillo del morro.jpg
El Morro Castle
Havana's first settlement was built on the western edge of Havana Bay. Regular attacks by buccaneers, pirates, and French corsairs prompted the Spaniards to begin fortifying the city. Four imposing colonial forts constructed of coral-limestone flank Havana Bay. Two of these are at the entrance to the channel, on the north the Castillo del Morro (now a maritime museum) and on the south the Castillo de la Punta (now the Museum of Fortifications and Armaments). On the north side of the channel is the massive Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana (now containing a museum of ceramic arts). On the channel's south side is the Castillo de la Real Fuerza.
In 1523, King Charles I of Spain mandated the Procedures for the creation of cities in the New World. These procedures indicated that after outlining a city's plan, growth should follow a grid centered on the square shape of the plaza. Havana's original central plaza is known as the Plaza de Armas. Surrounding this plaza were important military, political, and religious buildings. Castillo de la Real Fuerza was built adjacent to the plaza on its north side.
Other early constructions around the plaza included the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the Palacio de Segundo Cabo, the Plaza del Catedral, and the Plaza de Armas. Dominating the plaza is the cathedral, known as either the Catedral de la Habana or the Catedral de la Concepción Inmaculada.
To counteract pirate attacks on galleon convoys headed for Spain, following a royal decree in 1561 all ships headed for Spain were required to assemble their fleets in the Havana Bay. Ships arrived from May through August, waiting for the best weather conditions, and together, the fleet departed Havana for Spain by September. By the 17th century the city had become one of the main ship-building centers in the New World.
Spain found it necessary to protect many of its colonial coastal cities from attacks by both pirates and foreign powers. From 1674 to 1797 walls were built around the city of Havana, enclosing an area of approximately 3 square kilometers (about 1 sq mi). In 1863 these walls were torn down to accommodate the growing city.
While modern Havana has expanded beyond its original settlement, the narrow streets of Old Havana contain many buildings; monuments, forts, convents and churches, palaces, and alleyways that hold the history of its colonial days. Many structures fell into ruin in the later half of the 20th century, but a number are being restored.
Main sights
File:Hotel plaza.jpg
Historical Hotel Plaza
File:Sancristobalcathedral.jpg
San Cristóbal Cathedral
File:TeatroGarciaLorca.jpg
Great Theater of Havana
_2.jpg)
- Plaza de Armas is the plaza around which the city was built. Cities constructed by the Spanish Conquistadores in the New World were designed in a standard military fashion based on a grid pattern surrounding a central plaza. It is surrounded by governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. The name derives from the fact that this are would be a refuge in case of an attack upon the city, from which arms would be supplied to the defenders.
- Plaza Vieja was built in 1584. While it contains numerous landmarks, it differs from other plazas in that public and religious buildings are absent. Surrounding it were the homes of the city's colonial elite. Many of these homes fell into serious disrepair and are in various stages of restoration. The Casa de los Condes de Jaruco in this plaza has been fully restored and stands as an excellent example of a late colonial mansion.
- Castillo del Morro is a picturesque fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay built in 1589. Perched on the promontory on the opposite side of the harbor from Old Havana it can be viewed from miles around as it dominates the port entrance. Built initially in response to raids on Havana harbor, el Morro protected the mouth of the harbor with a chain being strung out across the water to the fort at La Punta. It first saw action in the 1762 British expedition against Cuba when Lord Albemarle landed in Cojimar and attacked the fort defended by Luis Vicente de Velasco e Isla from its rear. It fell because the British could command the high ground. When the island was returned to Spanish rule in 1763, the fort at La Cabaña was built to prevent this happening again.
- La Cabaña is an 18th century fortress complex located on the elevated eastern side of Havana's harbor entrance and is the city's the most impressive fortress. Construction of La Cabaña was begun in 1763 by King Carlos III of Spain, the controlling colonial power of Cuba, following the temporary capture of Havana by British forces (an exchange was soon made to give Cuba back to the Spanish in exchange for Florida). Replacing earlier fortifications next to the 16th century El Morro fortress, La Cabaña was the largest colonial military installation in the New World by the time it was completed in 1774, at great expenses to Spain. The fortress served as both a military base and prison over the next two hundred years for both Spain and an independent Cuba. La Cabaña was used as a military prison during the Batista regime. In January 1959, rebels led by Che Guevara captured La Cabaña and used it as a headquarters for several months while leading the Cuban revolution. The complex is now part of a historical park, along with El Morro, and houses several museums open to the public.
- San Salvador de la Punta Fortress is opposite the Castle of El Morro. Construction was begun in 1590. In 1595 a hurricane severely damaged the fortress. By 1602 reconstruction had not been completed, and it was decided to turn the structure into a keep, holding some 10 to 12 artillery pieces. In 1762 its safety curtains and bastions of were destroyed during the British invasion. When the Spanish resumed control of the island La Punta saw repair, and in the 19th century four esplanades built to accommodate a corresponding number of artillery pieces, were added at La Punta.
- Castillo de la Real Fuerza is set back from the harbor's entrance, and borders the Plaza de Armas. The fortress is considered to be the oldest stone fortress in the Americas. A previous fortress, the Fuerza Vieja (Old Force), was badly damaged in 1555 during an attack on Havana by the French privateer Jacques de Sores and eventually was demolished in 1582. In 1558 Bartolomé Sánchez, an engineer appointed by Phillip II of Spain, began work on the new fortress, initially known as the Fuerza Nueva (New Force). The Fuerza Vieja was set back from the harbor, but the new fortress was planned to be closer to the harbor to give it a better strategic position. The ironworks were established in 1558, but the first stones were not laid until 1562. Construction was delayed due to complaints from local residents forced to relocate to make way for the building and from disagreements between Sánchez and the Governor of Havana. The fortress was not completed until 1577, with slaves and French prisoners providing most of the labor. Built of limestone quarried from the Havana shoreline, the fortification incorporated thick sloping walls, a moat and drawbridge. The governor, Francisco Carreño, ordered the addition an upper story as barracks and a munitions store, but on completion, the fortress proved to be too small for practical use. Despite being positioned closer to the harbor than the Fuerza Vieja, it quickly became apparent that the new fortress was still too distant from the mouth of the harbor to serve effectively as a defensive bulwark, so was instead adopted by Juan de Tejeda as the residence of the Governor of Havana.
- Catedral de San Cristóbal is the most prominent building on the Plaza de la Catedral. Built in 1748 by order of the bishop from Salamanca, Jose Felipe de Trespalacios, it is said to be the only example of a baroque construction that possesses asymmetrical features - one of the towers is wider than the other. This particular feature was conceived in order to allow the water that tended to accumulate on the plaza to freely flow through the streets during the.
- El Capitolio, or the National Capitol Building, was the seat of government in Cuba until after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, and is now home to the Cuban Academy of Sciences. Its design and name recall the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., but it is only superficially similar. Completed in 1929, it was the tallest building in Havana until the 1950s and houses the world's third largest indoor statue.
- Galician Center, of neobarroque style was built as a social club of the Galician emigrants between 1907 and 1914. Built on the Theater Tacon (now known as Great Theater of Havana), it was inaugurated during the Carnival of 1838 with five masked dances.
- Gran Teatro de la Habana, the Great Theater of Havana is famous, particularly for the acclaimed National Ballet of Cuba and its founder Alicia Alonso. It sometimes performs the National Opera. The theater is also known as concert hall, Garcia Lorca, the biggest in Cuba.
- The Museum of the Revolution, located in the former Presidential Palace, with the boat Granma on display in front of the museum.
- San Francisco de la Habana Basilica, Habana Vieja, The set of church and convent of San Francisco de Asis, byline of the year 1608, and it was reconstructed in 1737.
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Harvey, David Alan. 1999. "The Rebirth of Old Havana - Renovation in the heart of Cuba's capital city illuminates centuries of architectural splendor". National Geographic. 195 (6): 36.
- Lobo Montalvo, María Luisa, Zoila Lapique Becali, and Alicia García Santana. 2000. Havana: history and architecture of a romantic city. [New York, N.Y.]: Monacelli Press. ISBN 9781580930529
- Sapieha, Nicolas, and Francesco Venturi. 1990. Old Havana, Cuba. Travel to landmarks. London: Tauris Parke Books. ISBN 9781850432210
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Old Havana and its Fortifications Retrieved December 2, 2008.
External links
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- Morro_Castle_(fortress) history
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