Havana (Habana) is a colourful and lively capital city full of splendid architecture from the Colonial period, wonderful music and friendly people.  We visited Habana Vieja (Old Havana) and Centro Habana.  Habana Vieja is the historic heart of Havana, which was declared a cultural heritage by UNESCO, is it the largest and more preserved Colonial centre in America.  Simply beautiful!

(ABOVE) A Quinceañera, a young woman's celebration of her 15th birthday.

(BELOW) Around Plaza de Armas area.  With red roof: Castillo de la Real Fuerza - a 16th century castle with a moat. This fortress was built in 1558-77 to protct the city from pirate attacks.  Another building in this set: Palacio del Segundo Cabo.  Finally, at the bottom right, Hotel Santa Isabel - built between the 18th and 19th centuries. 

(BELOW) In Plaza de Armas we found a statue of José Martí, a national hero;  The royal palm tree is said to be the national tree of Cuba for its strength. It stands strong during hurricane season while other trees collapse.

Calle Oficios is a small street in the area, it's a perfectly restored Colonial street with nicely painted buildings.

(BELOW) Entering Plaza de San Francisco, This picturesque square has a Spanish character. It used to be the commercial centre.

With the orange roof: Terminal Sierra Maestra (Cruiser terminal).

In the same set: Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís (Basilica of San Francisco)

(BELOW) Calle Teniente Rey - yet another narrow and colourful street in Old Havana.  It has a small aquarium and the Monk Hostel.  According to our guide monks used to stay in this hostel, thus its name.

(BELOW) Plaza Vieja - this square was laid out in 1559 and was originally called Plaza Nueva (New Square). Somehow other squares were built and this square was renamed Plaza Vieja (Old Square).  It certainly looks like Europe.

(BELOW) Perhaps the most colourful street of all: Mercaderes.  It has a small museum with guns / weapons used during revolutions and you learn about the famous Ernesto "Che' Guevara. 

In the same area, you find

Hotel Ambos Mundos: The famous writer - Ernest Hemingway (who wrote Old Man and the Sea) used to stay in this hotel (Room 511).   It has a 1930s atmostphere.

(BELOW) Entering Plaza de la Catedral (Cathedral Square), we found Havana's landmark, The Catedral de San Cristóbal - It is the national monument of Cuba and one of the most beautiful Baroque façades in the Americas.The pope (John Paul II) visited this church in Jan 1998.

In the same set: Palacio de los Marqueses de Arcos - built in the 1700s - it used to be a post office; In yellow: Palacio del Copnde Lombillo (1746); and Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabaña - a fort

(BELOW) Leaving Old Havana, we saw The famous Malecón - one of the symbols of Havana - this seafront promenade was featured in many movies.  We had lunch in a cozy and pretty building.

The tower is Memorial José Martí. Its shape resembles a five-pointed star.

And we saw Ministerio del Interior at the Plaza de la Revolución with a huge bronze wire sculpture of Che Guevara.

The cute yellow vehicle is a coco taxi.

(BELOW) Around Parque Central we visited the Capitolio. It is one of the tallest dome structures in the world. It totally resembles the one in Washington D.C. but one foot taller (300ft high)  With Neo-Classicism / Art Deco design it was built in 1929. It's the home of government until 1959.

Inside, you see the Salón de los Pasos Perdidos (Hall of Lost Steps) - beautiful hall, with marble floors and lamps and you see the Statue of the Republic - stands 56 feet high and weighs 49 tons. Covered with 22-carat gold leaf.

Not pictured, but a 25-carat diamond is embedded in the floor - they say it used to belong to a Tsar of Russia and was sold to Cuba.