Home of Captain Gaspar Rivero de Vasconcelos (17th century)
On the corner of Obrapía and San Ignacio Streets stands one of the oldest and best preserved homes in Havana as it has maintained its original appearance to a large extent. The most significant element of its façade is the notable balcony on the corner and which constitutes a tower-lookout, affording a magnificent view of the two streets where the house is located. Today it is home to the Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal, the Quitrín clothing factory and an art gallery.
On the corner of Obrapía and San Ignacio Streets stands one of the oldest and best preserved homes in Havana as it has maintained its original appearance to a large extent. The most significant element of its façade is the notable balcony on the corner and which constitutes a tower-lookout, affording a magnificent view of the two streets where the house is located. Today it is home to the Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal, the Quitrín clothing factory and an art gallery.
Home of Don Mateo Pedroso (18th century)
Strategically located on Cuba Street between Cuarteles and Peña Pobre, it looks out onto the bay as if welcoming incoming boats. In spite of its varied functions throughout its long history, it is very well preserved. The Pedroso family were descendents of noble families in Havana and Don Mateo was alderman of the city and one of the most influential figures of the colonial government. Late in the 19th century, the house served successively as Court, jail, and police headquarters. It became a tenement house in the 20th century and was later refurbished for its present role as a shop. Noteworthy is the 32 meter-long balcony on its façade, one of the longest built un Cuba. Its exteriors have been compared with the Inquisition Palace in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Today it is the Palacio de la Artesanía.
Strategically located on Cuba Street between Cuarteles and Peña Pobre, it looks out onto the bay as if welcoming incoming boats. In spite of its varied functions throughout its long history, it is very well preserved. The Pedroso family were descendents of noble families in Havana and Don Mateo was alderman of the city and one of the most influential figures of the colonial government. Late in the 19th century, the house served successively as Court, jail, and police headquarters. It became a tenement house in the 20th century and was later refurbished for its present role as a shop. Noteworthy is the 32 meter-long balcony on its façade, one of the longest built un Cuba. Its exteriors have been compared with the Inquisition Palace in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Today it is the Palacio de la Artesanía.
Home of Don Martín Calvo de la Puerta y Arrieta (17th century)
Don Martín's original home on Obrapía Street and the corner of Mercaderes was purchased in 1648 but in 1689, an adjoining property was also purchased thus adding to the house. Upon his death, the owner left the amount of 2002 thousand gold pesos that were to be used to provide dowries every year to five orphans so that 'without losing their integrity and decency they could bear strong and sturdy children'. This pious act would later give name to this street: Calle de la Obra Pía or Pious Act Street. The object of several rebuildings, its wide spatial layout on the ground floor seems odd with regard to the smaller dimensions on the top floor. A lovely central courtyard and ample galleries are both noteworthy. Objects that belonged to Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier are on permanent display here and it is also home to the sisterhood of embroiderers and weavers of Belén.
Don Martín's original home on Obrapía Street and the corner of Mercaderes was purchased in 1648 but in 1689, an adjoining property was also purchased thus adding to the house. Upon his death, the owner left the amount of 2002 thousand gold pesos that were to be used to provide dowries every year to five orphans so that 'without losing their integrity and decency they could bear strong and sturdy children'. This pious act would later give name to this street: Calle de la Obra Pía or Pious Act Street. The object of several rebuildings, its wide spatial layout on the ground floor seems odd with regard to the smaller dimensions on the top floor. A lovely central courtyard and ample galleries are both noteworthy. Objects that belonged to Cuban novelist Alejo Carpentier are on permanent display here and it is also home to the sisterhood of embroiderers and weavers of Belén.
Palace of the Count of Santovenia (18th century)
Built during the late 18th century on the north side of the Plaza de Armas and next to the site where the first mass was held, this luxurious and large mansion was owned by the Countess of San Juan de Jaruco. Early in the 18th century, Dr. Julián Francisco Martínez de Campos, judge advocate of Havana, purchased the building and in 1824 inherited the title of Count of Santovenia. It was eventually sold and because of its privileged location it became a hotel receiving the name of Santa Isabel in 1867. in 1996, it was again turned into a hotel with the same name, and is now one of the best hotels in Havana.
Built during the late 18th century on the north side of the Plaza de Armas and next to the site where the first mass was held, this luxurious and large mansion was owned by the Countess of San Juan de Jaruco. Early in the 18th century, Dr. Julián Francisco Martínez de Campos, judge advocate of Havana, purchased the building and in 1824 inherited the title of Count of Santovenia. It was eventually sold and because of its privileged location it became a hotel receiving the name of Santa Isabel in 1867. in 1996, it was again turned into a hotel with the same name, and is now one of the best hotels in Havana.
Home of the Count of the House of Lombillo (18th century)
The so-called Lombillo Palace, which houses today the City Historian's Office, is located on the north-east corner of the Plaza de la Catedral. Its first owner goes back to the 17th century, but it was inherited by Don José Pedroso y Florencia, who on several occasions had asked the town council permission to expand his house so that it would have access to the Plaza, since its front door opens to Empedrado Street. The owner of the adjacent mansion was the powerful Diego Peñalver, Official Treasurer of the royal treasury, who had made a similar request and was immediately granted the property. Accordingly, Pedroso made again the request to extend the porch that gives onto the Plaza, until his request was finally approved. In 1871, the house was awarded to Dona Concepción Montalvo y Pedroso, married to Don José Lombillo, whose family inherited the title of Count of the House of Lombillo, which is why the edifice is known by this name. The ground plan is irregular and the early Baroque style is predominant in the living spaces.
The so-called Lombillo Palace, which houses today the City Historian's Office, is located on the north-east corner of the Plaza de la Catedral. Its first owner goes back to the 17th century, but it was inherited by Don José Pedroso y Florencia, who on several occasions had asked the town council permission to expand his house so that it would have access to the Plaza, since its front door opens to Empedrado Street. The owner of the adjacent mansion was the powerful Diego Peñalver, Official Treasurer of the royal treasury, who had made a similar request and was immediately granted the property. Accordingly, Pedroso made again the request to extend the porch that gives onto the Plaza, until his request was finally approved. In 1871, the house was awarded to Dona Concepción Montalvo y Pedroso, married to Don José Lombillo, whose family inherited the title of Count of the House of Lombillo, which is why the edifice is known by this name. The ground plan is irregular and the early Baroque style is predominant in the living spaces.
Home of the Marquis de Aguas Claras (18th century)
Located on the north-west corner of the former Plaza de la Ciénaga, today Plaza de la Catedral, it was owned by Sebastián Peñalver, lawyer, alderman and mayor of Havana, who had been accused of collaborating with the British interventionists. The house was sold in 1772 to Josefa Calvo de la Puerta-a descendent of one of the founding families of the city-but was later purchased by Antonio Ponce de León, the Marquis of Aguas Claras, the name by which the mansion is known. Around the 19th century it became the San Isidro Labrador School and today it is the El Patio restaurant. The changes made by Mrs. Calvo de la Puerta as well those made to adapt the areas for its present function have not diminished its charm.
Located on the north-west corner of the former Plaza de la Ciénaga, today Plaza de la Catedral, it was owned by Sebastián Peñalver, lawyer, alderman and mayor of Havana, who had been accused of collaborating with the British interventionists. The house was sold in 1772 to Josefa Calvo de la Puerta-a descendent of one of the founding families of the city-but was later purchased by Antonio Ponce de León, the Marquis of Aguas Claras, the name by which the mansion is known. Around the 19th century it became the San Isidro Labrador School and today it is the El Patio restaurant. The changes made by Mrs. Calvo de la Puerta as well those made to adapt the areas for its present function have not diminished its charm.
Home of the Count of Bayona (18th century)
On the southern side of the Plaza de la Catedral, exactly opposite the church, stands one mansion that definitely was left porchless. Perhaps this is why it seems older than its neighbours. This 17th-century building underwent successive reconstructions which altered its exterior to a great extent. The following century, it became the property of José Bayona y Chacón, the first Count of the House of Bayona who had to settle differences with the Marquis of Arcos who had closed the alley adjacent to the house because the passers-by bothered him, although this action was an infringement of the regulations in force, by which all plazas should have four exits. The court ruled in favour of the Marquis but gave the Count permission to build a porch, although this never came to fruition. The house of the Count of Bayona has a large inner courtyard surrounded by galleries, and a backyard. The panelled ceilings have elaborate carved designs made by the best master carpenters in the city. It is today the Museo de Arte Colonial with a wide collection of colonial art, including furniture, glasswork and
porcelain.
On the southern side of the Plaza de la Catedral, exactly opposite the church, stands one mansion that definitely was left porchless. Perhaps this is why it seems older than its neighbours. This 17th-century building underwent successive reconstructions which altered its exterior to a great extent. The following century, it became the property of José Bayona y Chacón, the first Count of the House of Bayona who had to settle differences with the Marquis of Arcos who had closed the alley adjacent to the house because the passers-by bothered him, although this action was an infringement of the regulations in force, by which all plazas should have four exits. The court ruled in favour of the Marquis but gave the Count permission to build a porch, although this never came to fruition. The house of the Count of Bayona has a large inner courtyard surrounded by galleries, and a backyard. The panelled ceilings have elaborate carved designs made by the best master carpenters in the city. It is today the Museo de Arte Colonial with a wide collection of colonial art, including furniture, glasswork and
porcelain.
Home of the Count of Jaruco (18th century)
Located on the south-west corner of what today is known as Plaza Vieja, this mansion was purchased by Gabriel Beltrán de Santa Cruz y Aranda in 1770 after receiving the title of Count of San Juan de Jaruco, from which the house takes its name, although the Count actually lived there briefly. After his death in 1772, the house was inherited by his cousin-wife Teresa Rita Beltrán de Santa Cruz y Calvo, who would later have another house built around the Plaza de Armas. The house on Plaza Vieja was the birthplace of the notable writer and singer, Dona Mercedes de Santa Cruz y Montalvo, afterwards Countess of Merlin, and a place of reunion of many illustrious visitors to Havana. The ceilings are masterpieces of the best carpentry; the courtyard, portals and rooms are majestically large and are surrounded by arches, some of them with beautiful stained-glass windows. Today it houses the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales.
Located on the south-west corner of what today is known as Plaza Vieja, this mansion was purchased by Gabriel Beltrán de Santa Cruz y Aranda in 1770 after receiving the title of Count of San Juan de Jaruco, from which the house takes its name, although the Count actually lived there briefly. After his death in 1772, the house was inherited by his cousin-wife Teresa Rita Beltrán de Santa Cruz y Calvo, who would later have another house built around the Plaza de Armas. The house on Plaza Vieja was the birthplace of the notable writer and singer, Dona Mercedes de Santa Cruz y Montalvo, afterwards Countess of Merlin, and a place of reunion of many illustrious visitors to Havana. The ceilings are masterpieces of the best carpentry; the courtyard, portals and rooms are majestically large and are surrounded by arches, some of them with beautiful stained-glass windows. Today it houses the Fondo Cubano de Bienes Culturales.
