National Museum of Music, Havana
The National Museum of Music in Havana is a significant institution dedicated to preserving and promoting the city's rich musical heritage. Established in 1962, it houses a vast collection of Cuban musical instruments, memorabilia, and artifacts. The museum is divided into five main sections, each exploring different aspects of Cuban music history and culture.
The Folkloric Musical Instruments section showcases traditional Cuban instruments like maracas, güiro, and marimba, along with early Cuban jazz instruments, highlighting the island's jazz legacy. The Modern Instruments section displays contemporary musical instruments such as electric guitars, drum sets, and amplified horns, reflecting Havana's evolving musical landscape.
The Popular Instruments section highlights instruments crucial to tropical and popular Cuban genres, including percussion and string instruments like the Cuban tres, guitar, and bongos. The Traditional Music section delves into classic Cuban music genres like son, rumba, nueva trova, and Danzón, offering a comprehensive exploration of the country's musical traditions. The In-Depth Study Rooms cater to students and researchers, providing resources like books, documents, and archives for scholarly work on Cuban music.
Moreover, the museum serves as a cultural hub hosting concerts, workshops, lectures, and educational programs, fostering a dynamic environment for learning and appreciation. Whether for casual visitors, music enthusiasts, or scholars, the National Museum of Music in Havana embodies Cuban cultural identity and musical excellence.
The Folkloric Musical Instruments section showcases traditional Cuban instruments like maracas, güiro, and marimba, along with early Cuban jazz instruments, highlighting the island's jazz legacy. The Modern Instruments section displays contemporary musical instruments such as electric guitars, drum sets, and amplified horns, reflecting Havana's evolving musical landscape.
The Popular Instruments section highlights instruments crucial to tropical and popular Cuban genres, including percussion and string instruments like the Cuban tres, guitar, and bongos. The Traditional Music section delves into classic Cuban music genres like son, rumba, nueva trova, and Danzón, offering a comprehensive exploration of the country's musical traditions. The In-Depth Study Rooms cater to students and researchers, providing resources like books, documents, and archives for scholarly work on Cuban music.
Moreover, the museum serves as a cultural hub hosting concerts, workshops, lectures, and educational programs, fostering a dynamic environment for learning and appreciation. Whether for casual visitors, music enthusiasts, or scholars, the National Museum of Music in Havana embodies Cuban cultural identity and musical excellence.
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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National Museum of Music on Map
Sight Name: National Museum of Music
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Sight Location: Havana, Cuba (See walking tours in Havana)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Walking Tours in Havana, Cuba
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.
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
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
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
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
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
Start your trip with the ornate Presidential Palace,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
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
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
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
18 Uniquely Cuban Things to Buy in Havana
Rum, cigars and revolution have been, perhaps, at least until recently, the three most popular exports from Cuba. Luckily, with the embargo lifted (or soon to be lifted), those traveling to the U.S. might soon be able to pick up some of these (with the exception of revolution, perhaps) on their way...
Cuban Sweets and Pastries
On the tropical island where sugar cane is one of the main commodities along with the rum made of the very same sugar, and where the enormous abundance of tropical fruits make up a great deal of the local diet, it is only natural to expect the richness of dessert cuisine. Pair it with the strong...