El Capitolio (The Capitol Building), Havana (must see)

The National Capitol Building was completed in 1929 during the administration of President Gerardo Machado. It served as the seat of the Cuban Congress until the 1959 Cuban Revolution. After decades of different institutional uses and gradual deterioration, a major restoration began in the 2010s, and the building has since returned to legislative use as the home of Cuba’s National Assembly.

Although often compared to the U.S. Capitol, the Capitol Building is not a copy. Its grand dome was inspired by the Panthéon in Paris and rises almost 302 feet, making it one of Havana’s defining skyline features. When completed, it was among the highest domes in the world.

Approach the building from the broad front staircase. The entrance is reached by 56 steps, flanked by two monumental bronze statues by Italian sculptor Angelo Zanelli, representing Work and Tutelary Virtue. At the top, look for the imposing central portico, with twelve granite Ionic columns, each over 14 meters high. Beyond the portico are three large bronze doors decorated with relief panels.

Inside the main hall stands the Statue of the Republic, also by Zanelli. At about 15 meters high, this gilded bronze figure is one of the tallest indoor statues in the world. Set into the floor beneath the dome is a replica diamond marking Kilometer Zero for Cuba. The original 25-carat diamond was stolen in 1946 and later recovered, but it was not returned to public display.

The formal gardens around the Capitol were designed by French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier. Visit during the day to admire the sculptural and architectural details, and return at night to see the building beautifully illuminated.