152 Oficios St. on the corner of Mercaderes St., Old Havana ,
Havana, Cuba
(+53) 78011190
yes
About
Palacio San Felipe y Santiago de Bejucal
The actual full official (not exactly snappy, but charming) name for this brand new (Nov. 2010) hotel is "Palacio del Marqués de San Felipe y Santiago de Bejucal Hotel".
History, and modern facilities are combined in this beautiful building which originally belonged to Don Sebastián de Peñalver at the end of the 18th century and which passed onto the successors of the 4th Marques de San Felipe and Santiago at beginning of the 19th century.
The interior minimalist decor of the hotel contrasts with the baroque design of the hotel’s façade and makes the building unique on the St. Francis of Assisi Square. This new hotel, a gem in the heart of the heart of Old Havana, is lucky to be just a few meters away from the St. Francis of Assisi Convent where you can listen to some of the best choirs and chamber music concerts in the city.
From the hotel’s terrace, at the top of its six floors, you can enjoy the atmosphere of one of the main squares in the heart of the city with the Carrara Marble carved fountain Fuente de los Leones sculpted by the Italian artist Giuseppe Gaggini.
Tacon e/ Obispo y ORelly, Habana Vieja
Palace of the Captains-General (City Museum)
Currently the venue of the Office of the Historian of Havana, the palace was built in 1776 and has been given several functions: official residence of the Spanish governors of the island from 1781 to 1899 and of the presidency of the republic from 1902 to 1920. The City Museum currently occupies part of the sumptuous halls with permanent exhibition of arts and history of the colonial times and of the beginnings of the 20 th century. The museum exhibits valuable treasures such as: the first Cuban flag, personal effects of the heroes of Cuba: Jose Martí, Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo together with a priceless collection of colonial furniture, carriages and other works of art.
Calle Cuba No. 610 e / Sol y Luz, Habana Vieja, La Habana
Santa Clara Convent
The Convento de Santa Clara (Santa Clara Convent) is located at the south of Plaza Vieja Square of Havana. This is the biggest and oldest convent in all of Cuba, built between 1638 and 1643, and it is a good example of early Spanish influenced architecture. It was actually the first female convent in the city. The temple stopped serving for religious purposes in 1920, housing for some time the Ministry of Public Works. It is currently part of the restoration team of Old Havana. It being recommended to visit the Colonial-style interior patio, where the first public fountain of the city was found; the cloister, the cells of the nuns and the small cemetery.
Oficios No.13, La Habana
Automobile Museum
The Museo del Automóvil (Automobile Museum) is located in an 1892 Neoclassical construction in Old Havana. This museum is divided in two exposition rooms, which share the entire collection composed by 30 promenade cars, two rigid trucks, a funeral carriage, a special vehicle, seven motorcycles, a semaphore, three fuel pumps and two didactic imitations. This museum has a very well preserved and interesting collection of old automobiles, among which are the noteworthy Thunderbird, Pontiac, and Ford T, among others. The oldest vehicle in the collection dates from 1905, and the latest one comes from 1989. Most of them are North American, although some cars were made in Italy, Spain, Germany and Great Britain. It houses automobiles related to specific people and others antiquated vehicles. An example of this is the Cadillac used by Ernesto Che Guevara when living in Havana, the 1930 Fiat from Flor Loynaz, or the 1959 Oldsmobile used by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos.
San Pedro No. 262e / sol y Santa Clara, Habana Vieja, La Habana
Rum Museum
Discover part of the Cuban culture throught the history of Havana Club, the Cuban Rum, and its elaboration stages. It is not necessary to drink alcohol to enjoy this wonderful museum, because by visiting it you’ll still be able to delve into Cuban culture. This museum offers an interesting guided tour exhibiting the complex rum-making process in old machines. This tour is available in Spanish, English, French, German and Italian. It explains the entire process, from the manufacturing white oak barrels to the rum’s fermentation and ageing process, as well as a scale-model copy of a sugar mill. Ticket price includes a tasting to finish the tour in an attractive bar, where you will be able to taste also a wide variety of typical cuban cocktails, with traditional Cuban music from the 30’s in a cozy early 20th century atmosphere. The museum also contains a shop store.