Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (18th century)
After the explosion of the warship Invencible in 1741 in the Havana harbour, the town hall was severely damaged and in 1763, a storm, the Santa Teresa, completely destroyed the dilapidated building which was then located around the Plaza de San Francisco. Some historians say that the new edifice was commissioned to Silvestre de Abarca; others claim that it was the work of Pedro de Medina, an architect from Cadiz; and still others assure that Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar, a renowned mathematician from Havana, was responsible for the construction. Building works began in 1776 on the former site of the parish church, although using up more space and closing the Plaza de Armas on that side. Supposedly, when Don Luis de las Casas occupied the place around 1792, it had been declared as finished, although there were still a few 'details' for its completion. The fact is that it was not actually completed until 1835, when Governor Miguel Tacón moved in. The building included chapter houses, the governor's residence and the public jail, which was relocated during Tacón's term of office. It is sober and sturdy in character. Building materials included local stones with a large content of shells, thus its rough texture; bricks from Malaga, decorative ironwork from Bilbao, marble from Genoa, and some iron fittings from various places in Spain. The large and beautiful central courtyard is surrounded on its four sides by galleries. A throne room was built for the King of Spain on hus visit to the Island, but the only actual king that has visited Cuba was Juan Carlos I de Borbón, but he discreetly declined the honnour. The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is today the city's historical museum.
After the explosion of the warship Invencible in 1741 in the Havana harbour, the town hall was severely damaged and in 1763, a storm, the Santa Teresa, completely destroyed the dilapidated building which was then located around the Plaza de San Francisco. Some historians say that the new edifice was commissioned to Silvestre de Abarca; others claim that it was the work of Pedro de Medina, an architect from Cadiz; and still others assure that Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar, a renowned mathematician from Havana, was responsible for the construction. Building works began in 1776 on the former site of the parish church, although using up more space and closing the Plaza de Armas on that side. Supposedly, when Don Luis de las Casas occupied the place around 1792, it had been declared as finished, although there were still a few 'details' for its completion. The fact is that it was not actually completed until 1835, when Governor Miguel Tacón moved in. The building included chapter houses, the governor's residence and the public jail, which was relocated during Tacón's term of office. It is sober and sturdy in character. Building materials included local stones with a large content of shells, thus its rough texture; bricks from Malaga, decorative ironwork from Bilbao, marble from Genoa, and some iron fittings from various places in Spain. The large and beautiful central courtyard is surrounded on its four sides by galleries. A throne room was built for the King of Spain on hus visit to the Island, but the only actual king that has visited Cuba was Juan Carlos I de Borbón, but he discreetly declined the honnour. The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is today the city's historical museum.
Palacio del Segundo Cabo (18th century)
Around 1770, the Spanish Crown decided to construct a building next to the Castillo de la Real Fuerza on one side of the Plaza de Armas which would be the Royal Post Office. The building works under Antonio Fernández Trebejos y Zaldívar were completed in 1172. Years later, in 1820, it served as the Army Quartermaster Corps, Accounting Office and Treasury and in mid 19th century, it became the official residence of the vice-captain general, that is, 'subinspector segundo cabo', from which it takes its name. Early in the 20th century, it housed the Senate of the Republic and afterwards the Supreme Court, Academy of History, of Language, and of Arts and Humanities. Its Seville-style central courtyard has Cadiz-style shutters, a somewhat rustic classical Roman arcade and its cornices are reminiscent of their Mudejar origin restyled in Granada. It is today the home of the Instituto Cubano del Libro plus several bookshops, and an art gallery.
Around 1770, the Spanish Crown decided to construct a building next to the Castillo de la Real Fuerza on one side of the Plaza de Armas which would be the Royal Post Office. The building works under Antonio Fernández Trebejos y Zaldívar were completed in 1172. Years later, in 1820, it served as the Army Quartermaster Corps, Accounting Office and Treasury and in mid 19th century, it became the official residence of the vice-captain general, that is, 'subinspector segundo cabo', from which it takes its name. Early in the 20th century, it housed the Senate of the Republic and afterwards the Supreme Court, Academy of History, of Language, and of Arts and Humanities. Its Seville-style central courtyard has Cadiz-style shutters, a somewhat rustic classical Roman arcade and its cornices are reminiscent of their Mudejar origin restyled in Granada. It is today the home of the Instituto Cubano del Libro plus several bookshops, and an art gallery.
Seminario Conciliar de San Carlos y San Ambrosio (18th century)
In 1689, Bishop Diego Evelino de Compostela founded San Ambrosio, an unpretentious school for boys, located on Tejadillo Street and adjacent to the Jesuit church being constructed. When the Jesuits' properties were confiscated in 1767, Bishop Echevarría went to San Ambrosio School, added San Carlos to its name in honour of King Carlos III of Spain, and the following year upgraded it to Council Seminary. From that moment, a strong competition began with the Real y Pontificia Universidad founded by Brother Gerónimo Valdés at the San Juan de Letrán convent established in 1578. Both were universities whose alumni included illustrious founders of the Cuban nation and of its culture. In 1950, an imposing façade which overlooks the bay was built, imitating the peculiar Baroque style of the Catedral de La Habana. The seminary's original façade was on San Ignacio Street, which today has a modest altarpiece reminiscent of the Churrigueresque style, which serves as entrance.
In 1689, Bishop Diego Evelino de Compostela founded San Ambrosio, an unpretentious school for boys, located on Tejadillo Street and adjacent to the Jesuit church being constructed. When the Jesuits' properties were confiscated in 1767, Bishop Echevarría went to San Ambrosio School, added San Carlos to its name in honour of King Carlos III of Spain, and the following year upgraded it to Council Seminary. From that moment, a strong competition began with the Real y Pontificia Universidad founded by Brother Gerónimo Valdés at the San Juan de Letrán convent established in 1578. Both were universities whose alumni included illustrious founders of the Cuban nation and of its culture. In 1950, an imposing façade which overlooks the bay was built, imitating the peculiar Baroque style of the Catedral de La Habana. The seminary's original façade was on San Ignacio Street, which today has a modest altarpiece reminiscent of the Churrigueresque style, which serves as entrance.
