The Haunting Beauty of Havana's Buildings

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)

4 comments on “The Haunting Beauty of Havana’s Buildings”

Holy smokes — you’re doing a great job! PostADay is an intense challenge — and you’ve jumped into the deep end as a new blogger. I had the pleasure of visiting Cuba two years ago, and it was wonderful. Old Havana was one of the most fascinating places. One almost has to wonder what it would be like to see these old buildings in their glory days.

“…would have looked nicer without the clothes.”….LOL! I see you prefer birthday suits;-).

Thanks, Fab! I’m inspired by the places I’ve visited. I was worried that I’d run out of things to write about but even the fact that the mojitos tasted different gave me an idea for a post.
Cuba is really a fascinating place. I, too loved I could have seen some of these buildings in their “glory days.” I can’t wait to go back. This time, I want to go to Santiago.
Thanks for stopping by.