Page 70 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

68  HA V ANA AREA B Y AREA

1 Catedral de
San Cristóbal
Calle Empedrado 156. Map 4 E2.
Tel 7861 7771. Open 9am–5pm Mon–
Sat, 9am–noon Sun. 5 8am & 6pm
Tue & Thu, 8am Fri, 10:30am Sun.
Construction of the Catedral
de San Cristóbal (Cathedral of
St Christopher) began in 1748
under the supervision of Jesuit
priests. They were, however,
expelled from Cuba following
conflict with the Spanish crown,
meaning the church was
finished by Franciscans in 1777. The austere nave of Catedral de San Cristóbal
It became a cathedral after the
collapse of the old Parroquial asymmetrical bell towers and Baptiste Vermay, who founded
Mayor (see p74), which was an abundance of niches and the San Alejandro Fine Arts
caused by the explosion of columns, which Cuban author Academy (see p30). The high
a ship in the nearby port. Alejo Carpentier described as altar was created by Italian artist
In 1789, present-day San “music set in stone”. Giuseppe Bianchini in the
Cristóbal was consecrated as In comparison, 1800s. To the right is a
Catedral de la Virgen María de the Neo-Classical huge wooden statue of
la Inmaculada Concepción, interior is rather St Christopher, carved
and the small square where it disappointing. Large by the Seville sculptor
stands gained its current piers separate the Martín de Andújar in
status. In 1796 it was renamed nave from the aisles, 1636. The legs are out
Catedral de San Cristóbal de La which have eight of proportion with the
Habana, because, according to chapels. The largest trunk, as they were cut
popular belief, from that year one is the Sagrario in order to allow the
until 1898 it housed the relics chapel; the oldest statue to pass through
of Chris topher Columbus (1755), designed by the portal.
himself. A plaque to the left of Lorenzo Camacho, On 16 November,
the pulpit tells the same story, is dedicated to the the saint’s feast day,
though there is no official Madonna of Loreto and a solemn mass is held
historical record. contains quaint, tiny Statue of St here, during which the
The architecture is in keeping houses used as ex votos. Christopher faithful, who have to
with other Jesuit churches The three frescoes stay quiet during the
throughout the world: a Latin behind the high altar are by service, file past the statue to
cross layout, chapels on the Giuseppe Perovani, while the silently ask for his blessing.
sides and to the rear, the nave original wooden and plaster This blessing is given as long
higher than the side aisles. ceiling, demolished and then as worshippers do not utter
The Cuban Baroque façade is rebuilt in 1946–52, was the a word until they have left
grandiose, with two large, work of Frenchman Jean the church.
Pope John Paul II’s Visit
Pope John Paul II visited Cuba from 21–25 January
1998 (see p57). This event was of great historical
significance to Cuba, having officially been an
atheist state after the 1959 revolution until the
government allowed greater religious freedom in
the early 1990s. It was greeted with enthusiasm not
only by Roman Catholics, but by virtually the entire
population. The visit was broadcast on television
and the government also officially recognized
Christmas Day as a holiday for the first time since
1969. On 25 January the “Celebration of the Word”
was held in the Cathedral, during which the Pope
met Cuban priests and held an audience with the
faithful in Plaza de la Revolución. The trip paved the
way for future papal visits by Pope Benedict XVI in
Pope John Paul II in front of the Cathedral 2012 and Pope Francis in 2015.

For hotels and restaurants in this area see p256 and p270

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