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Christian Churches of Havana, Havana
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Christian Churches of Havana
Guide Location: Cuba » Havana
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 6
Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 3.2 km
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and akasenn
Author: kane
Discovered and conquered by the Spaniards, Havana has turned into a major religious center of Catholicism in the Caribbean. Although a communist regime is in power at the moment, many of the churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings are preserved and still give a glimpse of the religious heritage of Havana.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula
1) Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula
Saint Francis of Paula Church used to serve as a women's hospital in the past, but after the hurricane in 1730, it was destroyed and rebuilt to become a church. However, it was abandoned for some years before its latest restoration in 1946. The church has a unique Baroque architectural style.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and jdbradley
Iglesia del Espíritu Santo
2) Iglesia del Espíritu Santo
Iglesia del Espíritu Santo is the earliest-built christian church in the city of Havana. The church is well known for its possession of some exceptional images on linen, plus a crypt with catacombs. Built in 1638, it's also the only church in Havana to give political asylum. The bell tower on the left side of the building is amongst the tallest buildings in the old part of the city.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Aby R
Convento de Nuestra Senora de Belen
3) Convento de Nuestra Senora de Belen
Convento de Nuestra Senora de Belen was finished in 1718, and was given to the first members of the order of Bethlehem that arrived in Havana. After it had been the property of the Spanish government, it was taken by the Jesuits and enlarged. Today, the church has just one arch and a gate with beautiful stone statues depicting different saints.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pascal Zoghbi
Convento de San Francisco de Asis
4) Convento de San Francisco de Asis
Convento de San Francisco de Asis pays homage to the Corinthian and Doric styles, and it has a few remnants of early Baroque architectural style as well. It has been destroyed several times but has managed to retain its magnificent antique looks. It's located in the old part of the city and is easily accessible.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and PORKCHOP RULES
Iglesia del Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje
5) Iglesia del Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje
Iglesia del Cristo was constructed in mid 17th century and in 1693, it was certified as a parish church by the most distinguished priest of the Cuban episcopate - Bishop Avelino de Compostela. There's a picture of Christ on the Cross inside the church, which is believed to keep travelers from harm. The Baroque motifs and its towers make the church unique.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Rchard
Cathedral of Havana
6) Cathedral of Havana
The Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Havana (Cathedral of Saint Christopher of Havana) is the seat of Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino, the Cardinal Archbishop of Havana. Set in the former Plaza de La Ciénaga, or Swamp Plaza, the cathedral is said to be the only example of Baroque construction that possesses asymmetrical features - one of the towers is wider than the other. This particular feature was conceived in order to allow the water, that tended to accumulate on the plaza, to freely flow through the streets during the colonial period, when it was built. Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier famously described the Cathedral as "music set in stone". It is the most prominent building on the Plaza de la Catedral, in Old Havana.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Stan J Klimas
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