Cuba – the largest island nation in the Caribbean. Located between North and South America. The capital of the state – Havana. In addition to the main island, Cuba takes a few small islands, including Isla de la Juventud. The famous resorts of the country – Varadero, Holguin, Santa Maria del Mar.
The climate on the island is tropical. Comfortable water temperature and air accompanies year-round beach holiday. The sea temperature almost never drops below + 24 ° C. From May to October the rains are frequent, so the best time to travel – from December to April. The highest peak on the island – Turquino (2005 m).
The official language of the country in Spanish; also common English, Russian, French. National currency: the Cuban peso and the convertible peso. In resort areas mono pay euro. Nearby islands – Jamaica and Haiti. Also located nearby Florida (USA State) and Mexico.
The total number of the Cuban population – 11.1 million people.. The most populated city – Havana (2.1 million people.). The second largest city – Santiago de Cuba (445 thousand people.). The most common on the island of religion – Catholicism, although there are Protestant churches and the Orthodox churches.
The history of modern Cuba began in the late 15th century, when the island was discovered by Columbus H.. Until the 19th century, it remained in the power of the Spanish colonizers, but in December 1898 Cuba gained independence. But the fight for freedom did not stop until 1959. A decisive role was played by a popular revolution led by Fidel Castro.
Capitol in Havana
Capitol in Havana – Cuba’s parliament building, which served its intended purpose only until 1959. Today it from government agencies remained only the Ministry of Science. Also within the walls of the Capitol is Cuban Science and Technology Library and the Academy of Sciences. This building, built in 1926, is today one of the main values of Havana.
Capitol is located on Boulevard Prado, so pass it without noticing this grandiose architecture, it will not work. At the time, the chief architect of the boulevard Jean-Claude N. Forestier ennobled the area around the Capitol greenery and sculptures. The initiator of the construction and the first “boss” of the Renaissance palace was dictator H. Machado. You can see the bas-relief image on the massive doors of the Capitol – scenes from the history of Cuba.
One of the main asset of the Cuban Capitol is a 15-meter-high statue of a woman, symbolizing the free Republic of Cuba. The author of the sculpture was the Italian master A. Dzanelli and model and prototype – a resident of Havana L. Valti. Under the dome of the building for a long time he kept a 25-carat diamond was once owned by the Russian Tsar Nicholas II. This diamond is the “zero kilometer” for Cubans. Today, for safety reasons, it is stored in the National Bank.
The main hall of the government palace called the “Hall of Lost Steps” by virtue of a special room acoustics. Many say resemblance Cuban Capitol with American as well as the Cathedral of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Those who want to explore the palace more can be reached by bus M-2 to stop at the Prado Boulevard. The palace is open to the public every day, except weekends.
Grand Theatre
Cuba Attractions. Grand Theatre – one of the most important cultural and historical attractions of Havana; Main Stage Ballet of Cuba. In this theater at various times were S. Bernard, M. Plisetskaya and E. Caruso and other prominent personalities. Great it was called on the initiative of the Cuban ballet prima A. Alonso due to the huge size of the main concert hall, which seats up to one and a half thousand people.
The current building in the style of colonial baroque designed by Belgian architect P. Belau. It is a part of the palace ensemble Galician center. On the stage of this theater are national opera and ballet performances.
There also were and are almost all existing in the world of ballet troupe. The old building of the ballet was built in 1838, so the presentation in the Cuban Theater of Opera and Ballet are from the first half of the XIX century.
In addition to the main stage there are a couple of concert halls, one of which held the exhibition of contemporary art, and in another show feature films. Sometimes in the Cuban Grand Theatre perform contemporary jazz and pop groups. For those who are not interested in ballet, conducted regular tours of the interior. Theatre Doors open daily from 9.00 am; output-Monday. To get to it you need to catch a bus route M-2 to Paseo de Martí.
Prado Boulevard
Prado Boulevard – the central walking area of Havana; place accumulations of many historical attractions of Cuba. Boulevard has existed since the late 18th century, as an extension of Paseo de Martí, but as it appears today, it was designed by a Frenchman Forestier names in the first half of the 20th century. Paseo del Prado, as it is affectionately known as the Cubans themselves.
It is always crowded. Happy riding young people on skateboards, musical groups perform on weekends, or simply street musicians, artists and passers-by draw, well, and in the evening there are prostitutes. On this boulevard when he was fond of walking Ernest Hemingway. He dedicated a bronze monument on the corner of “Floridita” bar, where he was a regular. Among other sculptures of bronze lions, found around the perimeter of the boulevard.
By the way, with the “paseo” Spanish language represents just “walk” and “Prada” – “lawn”. Literally, it turns out that this “lawn for walking”, which is ideal for the boulevard. Today, it stretches from Central Park to the waterfront Malecón, surrounded by shady trees, lampposts and marble benches for rest. The total length of the Boulevard – 2 km.
From famous landmarks, which are located along the picturesque streets, you can highlight the Moorish House, the Capitol, the Wedding Palace, School of Ballet and the Bolshoi Theatre, Courthouse, many old and new hotels. Some facades of buildings painted in different colors, which gives them an iridescent appearance.
At the end of the boulevard stands the legendary fountain of “India” in Carrara marble. Once this allegorical statue was a symbol of Havana, inspiring poets and musicians. In honor of one of the famous Cuban poet, Juan Clemente Seine, a monument on the Boulevard. To get to the del Prado Paseo can be from any part of the city. There is a stop of the tourist routes TurBus, arriving and departing every hour.
The house-museum of Ernest Hemingway
Cuba Attractions. The house-museum of Ernest Hemingway – a secluded house in the vicinity of the Cuban capital, Havana, where he lived for the past 20 years, the famous writer. The house was bought at the insistence of his wife M. Gellhorn. After the death of the writer, he was transferred to the Government of Cuba. Today, he is as well as in the 1940-1960-ies. filled with books and personal accessories writer.
The country’s authorities have made every effort to preserve Hemingway’s home in the proper form. From the house beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea. Here he wrote some of his immortal novels, such as “The Old Man and the Sea”, “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Across the river, in the shade of a tree” and others. It also kept his beloved fishing boat “Pilar”, in which he not only fishing, but also went into the sea to follow the German U-boat during the war. In the last refuge Hemingway holds more than 9000 books in 33 languages.
The writer also fond of collecting a variety of icons, souvenirs, weapons, old photographs, etc. Unfortunately, when the writer was 61, he committed suicide by shooting himself from his favorite hunting rifle. Today his house in Cuba is visited by many tourists. District of San Francisco de Paula quite satisfied with the writer, as only a few kilometers away were his favorite bars – “Bodeguita del Medio” and “Floridita”. In addition, the sea was near.
The house itself was built in the late 19th century, a Catalan architect. The house even has a name – Finca Vigía. It is surrounded by a large green area, on which once walked favorite pets Hemingway. According to some reports, he had at least 60 cats and 10 dogs. To get to the attractions you can drive from Havana motorway Carretera Central. Distance from the center – 11 km. On rainy days, the museum does not work.
The fortress of La Cabaña
The fortress of La Cabaña – Historic Military Park, built in the 18th century on the eastern shore at the entrance to the harbor of the capital of Cuba, Havana. This complex of fortifications was built on the orders of the Spanish monarch Charles III. Over time, he became the most powerful defensive complex in the New World, which is not surprising, because Spain has spent an astronomical sum in those days for its construction.
Today, around the main fortification in Havana is always crowded. It is not just a pictorial look at the background of the Gulf, but also illuminated in the evenings. By the way, every evening at 21.00 in the fortress held a traditional ceremony cannon. As locals and tourists gather to look at this action. Immediately after the gunshot, notifies the completion of the next day, people go to Havana for entertainment. Some are and remain within the walls of the bar, located on the territory of the fortress.
To get to La Cabaña on foot from the center is not turned, but only by taxi or bus, departing from Fraternity Park. The desire to build a strong fortress in Cuba due to the fall of the fortress of El Morro in the second half of the 18th century, under the pressure of the British. Then the Spaniards are thinking about building a new fortress. In fact, new castle walls reached a height of 700 m and 12 m in thickness.
On the territory of the fortress of La Cabaña in the middle of the 20th century rested the legendary leader of the Cuban Revolution and his staff. Today it is open Museum commandant Che Guevara, which stores his personal belongings. Within the walls of the fortress hides another museum dedicated to antique guns and the chapel with an unusually beautiful altar – Capilla da San Carlos. Next to the castle stands one of the most beautiful monuments of Havana – 18-meter “Christ of Havana” in Carrara marble.
The resort of Varadero
The resort of Varadero – Cuba’s most famous beach area; a popular resort in the Western Hemisphere. Located at Cape Icacos along the Atlantic coast. Distance from Havana – 130 km. Varadero is famous for its first-class hotels, nightclubs, numerous diving centers and the beach just exotic.
In fact, it’s 20 km of pure white sand and turquoise waters of all shades of blue. In addition, the Cape’s largest coral reef surrounds the Caribbean, so this place is for divers, especially attractive. In addition to diving, are popular boat trips on glass-bottomed boat to get a better look all aquatic flora and fauna of the region.
Geographically, the resort refers to the Cuban province of Matanzas. Nearest International Airport. Juan Gualberto Gómez is located 20 km towards the administrative center of the province – the city of Matanzas. The airport is the second largest and passenger traffic after the Havana airport. 18 km from Varadero there is also a railway station. Another station is located in Matanzas, 40 km. If you go by bus from Havana, the path takes about 2 hours.
For the first time the resort was mentioned in the mid-16th century, but to explore and refine it began in the late 19th century. In addition to beautiful beaches, Varadero is rich in cultural, historical and architectural monuments. Take, for example, the Spanish fort in 1897, and the Municipal Museum. One of the most beautiful buildings of the church is considered a colonial-style Iglesia de Santa Elvira.
From natural attractions noteworthy coastal caves and nature reserves. There are around Varadero amazing cave where ancient rock carvings of Indians were found. And yet for many tourists Varadero is a paradise, dotted with sunny beaches and nightlife. The peninsula is indeed rich in institutions where excellent cooking blends with different varieties of rum and colorful live music.
The weather is always beautiful. Year-round sunny, warm and the water warms up to + 24-26 ° C. Beach resort in 1990 was recognized as one of the best and cleanest beaches in the world. Holidays in Varadero is perfect for young people and for families with children. The local sand is very soft and pleasant to the touch. Many tourists who arrived in Varadero, want to visit Havana. If you go by car, you have to cross a special checkpoint.
