Palace of the Captains-General / Havana City Museum, Havana

The Museum of the City of Havana is housed in the former Palace of the Captains General, one of the finest examples of Cuban Baroque architecture. The palace was begun in 1776 and completed in 1792. It served as the residence of Spain’s colonial governors, later housed U.S. military governors, then became Cuba’s presidential palace and eventually Havana’s City Hall before opening as the City Museum in 1968. It forms part of the UNESCO-listed “Old Havana and its Fortification System.”

The building is admired for its thick walls, elegant arcades, columned courtyard, stained-glass windows, and limestone façade containing visible marine fossils. Its shaded central courtyard, surrounded by galleries, is one of the most atmospheric spaces in the palace.

Inside, the museum presents art, furniture, photographs, uniforms, carriages, and historical objects connected with Havana’s past. Among its highlights is The Giraldilla, the original weather-vane statue from the nearby Castle of the Royal Force and now one of the symbols of the city. The museum also displays the old cenotaph from the former Parroquial Mayor church and relics from Espada Cemetery, including the tomb of French painter Jean-Baptiste Vermay.

On the upper floor, several rooms preserve the atmosphere of the former governor’s residence, with colonial furniture and decoration. Another important section is the Hall of Heroic Cuba, which contains objects from the wars of independence, including important national flags. The Throne Room is another visitor favorite, with a throne prepared for a Spanish monarchial visit that never took place.