The Seven Wonders Of Havana - Things To Do In Cuba's Glorious Capital

Recently, for the first time in over 2,200 years thehave shops attached which allow visitors to purchase
seven wonders of the world were reassessed. Overcigars as souvenirs.
100 million people voted and decided that the GreatMuseo de la Ciudad
Wall of China, Rome's Colosseum, Chichen Itza inThe building that now houses Havana's museum
Mexico, Petra in Jordan, Machu Picchu in Peru, Rio'streasures has a past that predates the revolution and
Christ the Redeemer and the Taj Mahal would makeevokes images of when Cuba was a non-Communist
the best new wonders.state. The building once housed the island's colonial
Certainly narrowing down the finalists from an initialgovernors and was the palace of the Captains
list of hundreds can have been no easy task - mostGeneral. Built in 1791, the museum's exhibits give a
countries can probably compile a list of sevenfeel of the history of Havana - from the city's
themselves. Cuba, which is of course my speciality,foundation to the present day. The museum naturally
has many architectural and cultural triumphs worthydevotes a sizable section to the Cuban wars for
of celebration. Hell, even Havana itself has enoughnational independence, but also houses a diverse
aesthetic wonder and cultural heritage for me to waxrange of other exhibits showcasing the island's art,
lyrical for several pages. In the interests of brevityporcelain, paintings, furniture, folklore and archaeology.
and in matching the arbitrary figure placed on theCapitolio Nacional
number of wonders allowed in one world, I shall limitAn important landmark in the centre of Havana, the
my list to seven sites worth examining on a HavanaCapitolio Nacional is an impressive site. It looks
holiday.remarkably similar to the US Capitol in Washington
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present (in no particularDC, and is now home to the National Library and
order)Academy of Sciences. Some of its rooms are also
The Seven Wonders of Havanaused for state events, in a nod to its history where
Plaza de la Revoluciónit once seated members of the Cuban congress.
The enormous square has seen many political ralliesDirectly underneath the memorable dome, an
and the feel of history and importance of the area isimitation 24 carat diamond is set into the floor, which
tangible. The square's podium has seen manymeasures the distances between Havana and all
important political speeches from Fidel Castro andCuba's other sites.
other prominent figures on important days in theHabana Vieja
Cuban calendar. While Castro is infamous for his longThe old city was founded in 1519, and was often a
speeches, the public events always prove popular,target for pirates which explains the dilapidated, yet
attracting over 1,000,000 Cubans over the years.still imposing, remains of Havana's city walls.
The square is dominated by the impressiveNowadays the old city includes museums, hotels,
José Martí memorial - a tower in honourshops and restaurants to line the picturesque cobble
of a national hero killed in the 1895 Second war ofstoned streets. The plazas are marked by
Independence. At 138 feet high, the imposingmeticulously restored colonial buildings and attractive
structure is the highest point in the city and visitorschurches, which make the perfect backdrop for
may take a lift to the very top of the building. BehindHavana's old city life as it goes by. The region also
the memorial are the offices of Fidel Castro himself,includes La Bodeguita Del Medio - a bar made famous
and opposite is the iconic image of Che Guevara thatthanks to its patronage by Mr Ernest Hemingway.
marks the Ministry of the Interior's building - a stapleMuseo de la Revolución
sight on any Havana holiday.What used to be the Presidential Palace and Cuban
Museo Nacional de Bellas ArtesGovernment's HQ is now fittingly a museum of the
This modern art museum is divided into two distinctrevolution that saw them ousted. The building is still
part. The Collección de Arte Cubano is dedicatedaesthetically astounding, but the insides have changed
to Cuban art created between the 16th and 20thto house pieces, photography and documents
century, while The Collección de Arte Universalpertaining to the Cuban Revolution. The building isn't
has a far wider scope. It includes art from Italian,the only imposing sight upon approach to the
French and Dutch painters as well as includingmuseum - out the front is the tank driven by Fidel
artefacts from Latin America and ancient Greece.Castro during the Bay of Pigs battle, and behind is
Cigar Factoriesthe yacht that brought Che Guevara and Fidel Castro
Cuba is practically synonymous with the word "cigars"from Mexico to Cuba in 1956.
and a visit to one of the three major Cuban cigarAside from these main aesthetic Cuban wonders,
factories in Havana can give a good indication as tothere are countless other things to do in Havana. It is
why. The three main factories give tours which allowtruly a magnificent city - a one of a kind mixture of
the visitors to see the hand rolled cigars in production.1950s America and Caribbean lifestyle. If you are
Partagas is the oldest factory (founded in 1827) andconsidering a holiday to Havana, this list will really help
keeping with tradition hires a reader to entertain theyou get into the Cuban spirit and gain an insight into
workers by reading aloud. Partagas and the twothe rich history of the city.
other main factories, La Corona and Romeo y Julieta