Page 68 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

66  HA V ANA AREA B Y AREA

Street-by-Street: Plaza de la Catedral

Dominated by the elegant profile of its church, Plaza de la
Catedral is one of the symbols of La Habana Vieja. In 1592,
the Zanja Real, the city’s first aqueduct (and the first Spanish
aqueduct in the New World), reached the square. Water was
channelled from the Almendares river, 11 km (7 miles) away.
The Zanja Real was built to provide water to ships docking in
the harbour, as well as to local residents. A 16th-century plaque
in the square marks the spot where the Zanja Real was located.
In the 18th century the aristocratic buildings and present-day A woman in colonial costume on
Cathedral were built here. Plaza de la Catedral is an the Cathedral steps
unmissable attraction for anyone visiting the
historic centre, with women in colonial
costume who stroll under the arcades and
read fortunes, and a bar-restaurant where
you can relax in the shade and listen to music.

Former
entrance to
the seminary

Centro Wifredo Lam,
housed in an 18th-
century palazzo,
promotes contemporary
3 Seminario de San Carlos y San Ambrosio art with exhibitions
The modern entrance of this 18th-century and lectures. C A L L E S A N I G N A C I O
building echoes the Baroque decorative
motifs of the Cathedral.

Palacio de los Marqueses de
Aguas Claras was built in the
second half of the 18th century.
In the 1900s it housed the París
Restaurant and then the offices
of the Banco Industrial. It is
now a bar-restaurant, El Patio,
C A L L E E M P E D R A D O
with tables in the inner
courtyard as well as in the
picturesque square.

Key
Suggested route

Casa de la Condesa de la
Reunión, a 19th-century
building surrounding a
splendid courtyard, is the
headquarters of the Alejo
0 metres 40
Carpentier Foundation. 4 . La Bodeguita del Medio
0 yards 40 This well-known 20th-century This restaurant and bar is legendary
Cuban writer (see p33) set his thanks to the writer Ernest Hemingway,
novel Siglo de las Luces here. who came here to drink mojitos.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p256 and p270

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