Museo Postal, Havana

Museo Postal, Havana

The "José Luis Guerra Aguiar" Cuban Postal Museum, situated on the ground floor of the Ministry of Communications in Havana, serves as a significant institution preserving the rich philatelic history of the country. Established on January 2, 1965, the museum's foundation traces back to a 1939 resolution by the then Ministry of Communications, aiming to establish a postal museum in Cuba—a vision realized after the Cuban revolution's success.

The museum boasts a diverse collection, continuously enriched through acquisitions, donations, and postage stamps sourced from the Universal Postal Union. Among its highlights is the "Cuba" Room, inaugurated on January 2, 1985, which offers an exhaustive overview of the Cuban stamp issuance process and features an array of artifacts from Cuban postal history. This collection ranges from 1760 to today, featuring documents such as the 1765 "Account Book" of the first Cuban postal administrator. It covers key periods like Spanish colonial rule, North American intervention, the Mambí postal service during the insurgency, the mediated Republic era, and the Revolutionary Government phase.

A unique exhibit within the museum is the "Cuban Postal Rocket," a testament to a novel yet ill-fated experiment conducted on October 15, 1939, which aimed to innovate mail dispatch via rockets but unfortunately ended in an explosion.

The museum was renamed in 1991 to honor the legacy of its late director, José Luis Guerra Aguiar, recognizing his contributions and dedication to the institution. Through its extensive collections and exhibitions, the "José Luis Guerra Aguiar" Cuban Postal Museum stands as a testament to Cuba's postal and philatelic heritage, offering insights into its historical transformations and cultural milestones.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Havana. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Museo Postal on Map

Sight Name: Museo Postal
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery

Walking Tours in Havana, Cuba

Create Your Own Walk in Havana

Create Your Own Walk in Havana

Creating your own self-guided walk in Havana is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Hemingway's Havana Walking Tour

Hemingway's Havana Walking Tour

Ever since Hemingway first visited Cuba in 1928 until his death in 1961, he felt an intense connection with the people and culture of Cuba. Hemingway lived at Hotel Ambos Mundos during the 1930s, and began, wrote, and finished several novels there. Today, you can see some of Hemingway's belongings in Room 511.

Hemingway was a frequent patron at El Floridita, famous for its daiquiris....  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Old Town Walking Tour

Old Town Walking Tour

The Spanish founded Havana in 1519. After French pirate Jacques de Sores ransacked the city in 1555, the Castle of the Royal Force was built to protect the city.

Havana became a major stopping point between the newly discovered Americas and ancient Europe. In the 1600s, Havana was a major shipbuilding port.

Old Havana is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The historic city has five...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals Walking Tour

Historical Churches and Cathedrals Walking Tour

Discovered and conquered by Spanish colonists in the early 16th century, Havana has turned into a major religious center of Catholicism in the Caribbean. Although a communist regime is currently in power, many of the churches, cathedrals, and other religious buildings have been preserved and still give a glimpse of the city’s religious heritage.

The old Havana Cathedral, located in a...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Old Palaces Walking Tour

Old Palaces Walking Tour

Havana has been the seat of Cuba’s ruling gentry for centuries. Today, you can walk the streets of Old Havana and explore its palaces to get a glimpse into the city’s royal past. Although these structures now serve Havana’s citizens and visitors, they still catch your eye (and your camera lens!) with their architecture and history.

Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Cuban Sweets and Pastries

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18 Uniquely Cuban Things to Buy in Havana

18 Uniquely Cuban Things to Buy in Havana

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