Havana Photo Gallery - Vieja Part 1

Havana's Old Town has hundreds of historically-important buildings. Put on a good pair of walking shoes and explore the architecture block by block. Start at the Plaza de la Catedral, which dates from the 18th century and is anchored by the cathedral, which was completed in 1787. This was the former burial place for explorer Christopher Columbus; his remains have since been sent to Seville, Spain.

The side streets were full of tourists and the buildings seemed noticeably restored.

For Hemingway fans, head to the Ambos Mundos Hotel, where he stayed in Room 511 regularly in the 1930s. That room is now a museum, although marked in a low-key way, with a relatively expensive admission.

February is a sunny time of year to visit but the temperature remains comfortable.

Plaza de Armas is the old town's oldest square, tracing back to when Havana was founded in the 16th century. The government was here in the 18th and 19th centuries and the colonial legacy remains today.

Lack of urban development from the 1960s to 1990s saved the historic centre from destruction, while restoration is slowly filtering through the various streets in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Havana Photo Gallery Main

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