Old Havana

A treasure that’s been both restored and left untouched, Old Havana clings to a past that lingers in every wall and street. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 for its rich and varied architecture, Habana Vieja, as locals call it, is the soul of the city. In 1519, Spanish settlers laid the foundations of what would become the Cuban capital. In these streets, where renovated façades sit beside crumbling walls, Havana began to take shape, leaving behind an extraordinary architectural legacy. For several decades, the conservation of the district has been led by the Office of the Historian of Havana, an institution dedicated to restoring the city’s oldest buildings and preserving its historical identity. Within just five square kilometers, Old Havana is home to churches, convents, fortresses, and palaces, some over 500 years old. This is the most magical and authentic part of the city, where history is alive at every corner.