Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, Havana

4 more images

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (now the City Museum) was the former residence of the Spanish Governors and Presidents (until 1917). It's a beautiful converted Spanish colonial building, built round a courtyard with peacocks strutting their stuff among potted palms and other glorious foliage. Rooms laid out as per 19th century (mostly), but not one of these dull manor house tours. You can dip in and out of the rooms at will, relax on the central balconies. Its the atmosphere and delights of the building that are as interesting as the exhibits.

Open Monday-Saturday, 9.30am - 6.30pm

The building is the greatest representative of the Cuban architecture of the18th century and one of the best examples of all times. Its construction started in 1776, although in 1772 the City Council had made the decision to build it and use it as the headquarters of Capitular Houses, jails, and residence of the Generals of the Army of the Island. Currently it is used as the Head Office of the Museum of the City

The rooms on the third floor of the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales are very impressive, richly decorated with numerous antique furnitures, vases and decorations. You can certainly get an idea of how the Capital General lived in colonial times.

In addition, there is an air-conditioned room on the west side of the third floor. It contains the first Cuban flag (1850) framed securely on the wall, as well as many other old flags, paintings and other exhibits.

Built in the late 18th century, the Palacio is the most notable building surrounding Plaza de Armas. It has been the residence of the head of state, from the Spanish captain general in the 18th and 19th century, to the US military governor, then the Cuban president. In 1920, it became the city hall and since 1968 it houses the Museo de la Ciudad.

The marble statue of Christopher Columbus is at the center of the beautiful courtyard. Peacocks walk around freely on the ground. The corridors on the third floor around the courtyard are nicely decorated with statues of famous ppl in Cuban history.

The Sala de los Espejos on the 3rd floor of the palace was the place where the transfer of power from Spain to the US took place in 1899.

There is an admission to the museum.

It is one of Havana's finest buildings, which was built in 1776 as a residence for Cuba's captains general. Now occupies as a museum 'Museo de la Ciudad'.

The centre of the courtyard stands a statue of Columbus on his pedestal.

Plaza de Armas: This is the courtyard of the 'Palacio de los Capitanes Generales' with the statue of Cristoforo Colombo. This building was the residence of the Spanish governors. Outside the palace there is a wooded floor made for to muffle the sound of the horse hoofs. Now the palace has been restored and you can visite the 'Museo de la Ciudad'.

Capitanes Generales Palace is a baroque style building nowadays Historical Museum of the city was built like the Segundo Cabo Palace with shell's stones. Inside you can see a pattern of the national history.
In the picture you can see the Columbus Monument by the italian sculptor J. Cucchiari installed in the year 1862. Around this square is also worthwhile discover the barroque archs and inside one of the buildings a Juan Carlos I picture next to a Spanish King's throne. (Memorial of my country... :-) yesssss!)

Plaza de Armas: the second-hand book market. Here you find a lot of old books and you can buy a bit of Cuban history.