In pictures: Havana celebrates 500 years of foundation
In pictures: Havana celebrates 500 years of foundation
16 November 2019
Cuba's capital, Havana, is one of Latin America's architectural treasures, boasting a fascinating mix of colonial, Baroque and Art Deco styles. Many of its jewels have suffered from decades of deterioration but, slowly, complex renovation works are bringing some of them back to life. As the city celebrates 500 years of its foundation on 16 November, here is a look at some of its most famous buildings and sights.
Havana Cathedral
UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY
The Havana Cathedral, or Catedral de San Cristóbal, was built between 1748 and 1777 and consecrated in 1782. The Baroque building (seen in the picture above in the 1880s) has two asymmetrical bell towers and its main façade is rich in details.
A number of artworks including sculptures and paintings are exhibited inside, where the central nave floor forms a Latin cross.
ROBERTO MACHADO NOA/GETTY
For 100 years the cathedral held the remains of explorer Christopher Columbus before they were transferred back to Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898, which led to Cuba's independence.
The building (seen in the first picture above during a celebration in 1946) is located at Plaza de la Catedral, one of the five main squares of Old Havana, a Unesco World Heritage site.
More:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-50322553
