Formerly known as the Teatro Blanquita, and renamed after the Cuban revolution of 1959, the venue has an enormous auditorium with seating capacity of 8000 people and is generally used for big shows by stars from Cuba and abroad. The theatre is also a major concert venue for both local and international artists; singer-songwriters such as Carlos Varela, Silvio Rodríguez, and Pablo Milanés, are just a few of the great names who have graced this particular stage. More recently, this was the scene of a concert by British pop group “The Manic Street Preachers”, which included among the thousands of excited young fans none other than President Fidel Castro himself.
Located in an old convent dating back to 1734, this is a combination of both museum and church. The spacious building itself is a wonderful example of 18th-century architecture, with a display that includes many old paintings, some of which come from abroad. There are a number of religious statues and artifacts, and thanks to excavations near the main entrance, visitors can now see the catacombs that lie beneath the church. There are two items in the collection deemed of prime importance: a crystal statue of Jesus given to Fidel Castro by Mother Teresa, and a set of chairs used by Mr Castro and Pope John Paul II when he visited Cuba.
The residence of Ernest Hemingway that is located in Havana is called the Finca Vigia, or Lookout Farm. Built by Miguel Baguer, a Catalan architect, the location is serene with a pristine view of downtown Havana. The 1886 home was where the Hemingway family resided from 1939 till 1960. Through the years, deterioration took the best of it, and the house is now deemed one of the most endangered historic sites. Restoration was done by 2007, and is now open to public for museum visits.
A fine example of 18th-century ecclesiastical architectural, Havana Cathedral has a facade full of columns, niches, and other baroque embellishments that stand in contrast to the asymmetry of its spires. Jesuit priests inhabited the site until their eviction in 1789, at which time the building was consecrated as Havana Cathedral. Inside the holy site are copies of paintings by Rubens and Murillo on the alters, and at the top end of the choir section, frescoes by Italian artist Giuseppe Perovanni are visible. There is also a finely crafted sculpture of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of Havana, dating back to 1632 found inside. Beyond its artistic and architectural significance, this cathedral housed some of Christopher Columbus's remains between 1796 and 1898, making it a site of great historical important. Stop by the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana to see this venerable landmark in person.
The building where the current church and convent of Saint Francis of Assisi stand dates back to the 16th century, which was when the main religious orders established themselves in Havana. Since 1842 it has been run by the Third Order of Saint Francis that dates from the first half of the 17th century; it was then that Augustinian monks first arrived in Cuba. The architecture has a marked ornamental Mexican feel to it; the building now has a multiple role as museum and venue for all sorts of concerts and other cultural events.
The finely built spire of this church, one of the best examples on the island, stands out among the buildings of Havana. Opened in 1923, it is currently administered by Jesuit priests. Inside there is an ornate altarpiece constructed of marble and bronze with decorative inlay, made in Madrid by a priest named Father Granda. And within the pointed arch of the entrance porch, there is a sculpture of the Sacred Heart of Christ, inviting the faithful into this Catholic church.