Plaza Vieja (Old Square), Havana (must see)

Old Square was laid out in 1559 and was originally known as New Square. It later became a market square and eventually took the current name after a newer market was created elsewhere in the city. Today, it is one of Havana’s most architecturally varied squares, with colonial mansions, arcaded façades, colorful stained-glass windows, and early 20th-century buildings standing side by side.

At the center of the square is a replica of an 18th-century Carrara marble fountain, originally designed by Italian sculptor Giorgio Massari. The original was removed in the 1930s when an underground parking garage was built beneath the plaza, but the square was later restored as part of Old Havana’s UNESCO preservation work.

Several notable buildings frame the plaza. The Palace of the Counts of Jaruco, built between 1732 and 1738, is one of the finest colonial mansions here and is known for its elegant galleries and stained-glass windows. The Cuban Photography Center is housed nearby in the former House of Juan Mata and exhibits Cuban and international photography. For an example of early 20th-century architecture, look for the former Cueto Palace, built in 1906 and now restored as a hotel.

The square is now a lively place for cafés, restaurants, bars, galleries, and people-watching. A good stop is Café Bohemia, located in the House of the Count of Lombillo, while nearby restaurants and terraces offer excellent views of the plaza. Visit the Camera Obscura in the Gomez Vila Building, the tallest building on Old Square at about 35 meters. From its rooftop, you can enjoy panoramic views over Old Havana, while the camera obscura projects a live 360-degree image of the city into a darkened room.