/countries/show/cuba/1.rss en-us A city founded in 1519 has much history, life and unique explorations awaiting your arrival. Step into Old Havana and experience an elegant town that used to be a crossing point between the New and Old World for the treasure laden Spanish Galleons. With its rich history, Old Havana creates wonder in the minds of those that walk through the uneven streets. Built in neoclassical style, through the years Old Havana has gone through much disarrangement, but continually caters to the tourist who is looking for a relaxing laidback vacation. To step into Old Havana you may want a little bit of background information about the city to familiarize yourself with its many years of greatness. The city was based around the port back in the 17th century and to this day still is. Many moons ago the city was destroyed by a fire and after this the city rebuilt itself through walls of protection. To this day the city stands tall through all its trials and tribulations and is now deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And now to the good stuff, all the sights and sounds of Old Havana that await you the second you step off the plane. First things first, you of course have to walk through The Malecon. The Malecon is Old Havana’s approximately 7km promenade. This promenade is unique in its own right as when you walk along it you will catch the wondrous sights and sounds of the sea and take in the majestic beauty of the buildings found in Old Havana. Catch the sunset here as the buildings light up and truly show off their beauty. Walk through The Plaza de Armas, known as the tourist square, Central Park or Plaza Viega, all showcase various monuments to showcase the history of Cuba. If you are in the mood for theatre then head on over to The Gran Teatro de la Habana (The Greater Theater of Havana) to enjoy a night of taking in the wonders of the Cuban theater. As it is the biggest theater in Cuba it sure should be a ‘must’ on your to do list. If you enjoy history and beauty ensure you visit La Cabana fortress where soldiers dressed in suits shoot gunshots every night at 9pm. The Museum of the Revolution and San Salvador de la Punta Fortress, an architecturally sound building built in 1590 should be at the top of your list as well. The Catedral de San Cristobal and San Francisco de la Habana Basilica showcase Cuba’s beauty as you walk through each of these churches. Each unique in their own right and created ever so long ago are truly sights to see. Love rum? Well then one of your stops must be at the Barcardi Building. Built way back in 1930 and is regarded as one of the best art deco buildings in all of Latin America. Old Havana is rich in culture, beauty and architecture. This city awaits your arrival with around 3,000 buildings that surround its narrow streets, now all you have to do is book your travels to this perfect spot. Tue, 31 May 2011 05:05:52 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/old-havana http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/old-havana The first thing I noticed upon entering Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba, was the sheer size of it. Standing inside one can easily imagine former President Fidel Castro addressing the masses and it is quite obvious that Revolution Square is indeed one of the biggest city squares in the world. Though the name “Revolution Square” is linked to Fidel Castro and his revolution, the square was actually constructed during the regime of prior President Fulgencio Batista. It was originally named “Civic Square” and renamed “Revolution Square” only after Fidel Castro took power. One of the highest points of the city of Havana is in the square, the Jose Marti Memorial. The memorial is a 109m tall tower, where you can take an elevator to the top for a spectacular view of the city. In front of the tower is a huge sculptor of Marti himself, poet, writer and national hero in Cuba. An iron sculpture of Che covers a whole side of the Ministry of the Interior. The words “Hasta la Victoria Siempre” (Towards Victory Forever) are ‘scrawled’ beside it. This kind of propaganda is found everywhere in Havana from the biggest billboards to the smallest of street graffiti. Some say that Che’s office is still completely intact and untouched inside the Ministry of the Interior building. Tours, however, are not offered. Just recently another iron sculpture has been added in the Revolution Square. This time it is of Camilo Cienfuegos, Fidel Castro’s right-hand man and confident during the revolution. Beside his face, sculpted in his own handwriting, are the words “Vas bien Fidel” (You are doing well Fidel), which was what he said to Fidel Castro upon arriving by tank to Havana on January 8th 1959 after defeating Batista. The most important events in Revolution Square are held on May 1st and July 26th. May 1st is International Workers' Day, or May Day, and is celebrated by eighty of the world's countries, including Cuba. For those with travel flexibility and a healthy tolerance for crowds, May 1st is the most experiential. You can expect tens of thousands to pack the square including visitors from far and wide. July 26th is an event in commemoration of the famous attack on the Moncada barracks in Santiago de Cuba by Fidel and his army. Thu, 02 Sep 2010 04:10:25 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/revolution-square-havana http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/revolution-square-havana