Page 79 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Havana ❮❮ 77

Architectural Gems

Edificio Solimar
1
MAP V1 • Calle Soledad 205,
Centro Habana
This remarkable Art Deco apartment
complex has curvaceous balconies
that wrap around the building.
Catedral de La Habana
2
The Baroque facade of this
18th-century church is adorned with
pilasters and flanked by asymmet-
rical bell towers, one thinner than
the other (see p12). The Capitolio’s grand entrance hall
Edificio Bacardí
Capitolio
3 7
MAP W5 • Av. Monserrate 261,
This grandiose congressional
La Habana Vieja building is topped by a dome. Its
A stunning example of Art Deco, this highlight is the sumptuous Salón
soaring, multi-tiered edifice has a de los Pasos Perdidos – the entrance
facade of pink granite and local hall, with marble floor and gilded
limestone. The famous Bacardí lamps (see p14).
bat tops a ziggurat bell tower. Casa de las
8
Gran Teatro
Américas
4 MAP T1 • Calle 3ra & Av. de
MAP V5 • Paseo de Martí
452 • 7861 3079 • Open 9am–5pm los Presidentes • 7838 2707
Mon–Sat, 9am–1pm Sun • Adm; • Open 10am–4pm Mon–Fri, for
extra charge for guided tour events Sat • www.casa.cult.cu
This theater, built in 1837, is Resembling a vertical banded
a Neo-Baroque confection church, this Art Deco
with corner towers topped building features a triple-
by angels. It also features tiered clock-tower.
sculptures of the muses
Tropicana
Charity, Education, Music, 9
and Theater. MAP D2 • Calle 72 &
Av. del Ferrocarril, Marianao
Palacio
5 Gran Teatro • 7267 1717 • Open
Presidencial
from 8:30pm daily
MAP W1 • Calle Refugio 1 • www.cabaret-tropicana.com
The lavish former presidential palace Built around trees and considered
was intended to signify pomp. It now the masterpiece of Cuban architect
houses the Museo de la Revolución. Max Borges Recio, this open-air
The extravagant three-story building theater is a superb example of
is topped by a dome and dec orated 1950s modernismo.
inside with frescoes and mirrors. Instituto Superior
de Arte
Hotel Habana Libre
6 0
MAP U1 • Calle L & 23
MAP D2 • Calle 120 & 9na,
Dominating the Vedado skyline, this Playa • 7208 0705 • Open by
oblong Modernist tower, built in appointment
1958, features a dramatic atrium Designed by three “rebel” architects,
lobby, and a huge mural on its this arts school was never completed,
exterior by Amelia Peláez (see p42). as it was considered too avant-garde.
See map on pp72–3
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