Old Havana Archives | InsideJourneys

Cuba‘s well-known for, among other things, its architecture. However, after 50 years of neglect, many of its now historic buildings are falling apart. Many others struggle to retain their majestic beauty.

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.17.07 PM — Gran Teatro de la Habana

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.16.22 PM — Hotel Inglaterra

I can only imagine how splendid these buildings looked back then.

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.20.41 PM — Hotel Plaza

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.19.43 PM — This building would have looked nicer without the clothes

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.22.42 PM — La Floridita - one of Hemingway's haunts

We should have stopped at La Floridita for a daiquiri, but didn’t.

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.23.31 PM — This could use some work

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.22.03 PM — Bacardi Building

Previously supporters of the revolution, the Bacardi family left Cuba rather than let the regime nationalize their business. Bacardi is now headquartered in Bermuda.

The Bacardi rum is the main ingredient in Cuba Libres and daiquiris.

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.27.11 PM — Convento de San Francisco

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.28.10 PM — Old Havana

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.56.23 PM — Old Havana building

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.24.49 PM — Square in Old Havana

Screen shot 2011-02-23 at 11.25.59 PM — Decaying beauties

The restaurant atop the Hotel Ambos Mundos provides a panoramic view of some of Havana’s decaying buildings.

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Ernest Hemingway’s Cuba: Raise a daiquiri to the old man and the island (independent.co.uk)

As we meandered around Havana, these are a few of the things we saw.

Sidewalk homage to Ernesto "Che" Guevara

Screen shot 2011-02-20 at 4.35.07 PM — Monument to Che at the Plaza de la Revolucion

A few mornings we walked the Malecon, from Vedado, where we were staying. to Old Havana. We’d always see people sweeping the streets and cleaning up in front of their buildings.

We were impressed by many of the metal gates, fences and window grills we saw.

Screen shot 2011-02-20 at 3.50.47 PM — Gates at the Union of Writers and Artists Building

Screen shot 2011-02-20 at 3.54.25 PM — Sculpture garden at the Union of Writers and Artists building

One of the things that struck us right away was the absence of graffiti and advertising. We did see one or two political signs and lots of signs reminding Cubans not to litter, etc.