Page 92 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

90  HA V ANA AREA B Y AREA

7 Paseo del Prado

The most picturesque boulevard in Havana is popular in
the daytime for a gentle stroll and gossip in the shade of
the trees, and at sunset is one of the locals’ main haunts.
The Marquis de la Torre had the Paseo laid out in 1772
outside the city walls, and it rapidly became the favourite
spot for city aristocrats to take their carriage rides. Bands
were positioned in five spots along the boulevard to play Lions
for their enjoyment. The Paseo was used for military and Eight imposing bronze lions,
carnival parades in the 19th century, when the paving was symbolizing Havana, were
added to the boulevard in
redone. In 1927 the French architect Forestier designed the 1927, together with the
Prado as we see it today: it was widened and lined with marble benches.
bronze lions and marble benches.
Neo-Moorish Building
The building at the corner of
Calle Virtudes, richly decorated
and with mudéjar arches, shows
many architectural influences
and is typical of Havana.

Hotel Sevilla
This historic hotel is a homage to
Moorish architecture: the façade and hall
decor ation are mudéjar (see p28) in style.
The ten-storey tower was added in 1917.

KEY
1 Casa del Científico was the
residence of José Miguel Gómez,
second President of the Republic
of Cuba.
2 Dr Carlos Finlay, who discovered
that mosquitoes spread yellow fever,
lived here.
Palacio de los Matrimonios 3 The Art Deco Teatro Fausto was
Named after the civil weddings celebrated on the first built in 1938 over the foundations of
floor, this Neo-Baroque building was inaugurated in 1914 an old theatre of the same name.
as the Casino Español.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see pp256–7 and p271

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