Old Town Square, Old Havana

Swing by the Plaza Vieja (Old Town Square), a colonial square overflowing with Cuban art and culture in Old Havana, Cuba

Old Town Square, Old Havana
© Chris Michael

You can find the Plaza Vieja (Old Town Square) where Muralla, Teniente Rey, San Ignacio and Mercaderes street meet. It is one of the main squares in Old Havana and a great place for visitors to enjoy the city’s architecture, delicious restaurants, lively bars, and immerse themselves in the Cuban lifestyle.

Old Town Square
© Eric

This famous plaza was opened to the public in 1559 under the name of Plaza Nueva (New Square). However, the name changed as time passed and governments changed until it eventually became the Plaza Vieja. Over the years the Plaza Vieja has been used as a place for military exercises, theater performances, public executions, market areas, and as a residential area for Creole families. Visitors can trace the plaza’s beauty back to its time as a residential area when its arches and facades provided shade for its inhabitants, its brightly colored buildings a symbol of art and beauty.

The Plaza Vieja harmonizes colonial baroque styles, unique to the city, with Antonio Gaudí’s modernism. These styles manage to cohesively blend together to paint a beautiful picture of architectural works. The Palacio del Conde de San Juan de Jaruco (Conde de San Juan de Jaruco Palace) is especially worth visiting. Inside you can find the Fondo de Bienes Culturales (Fund for the Protection of Cultural Property) and the Centro de Arte La Casona (La Casona Art Center).

Some of the buildings in the square also function as art galleries and cultural centers. Included are the Fototeca de Cuba (Cuban Photo Library), the Planetario (Planetario), el Museo del Naipe (Card Museum) and the Vitrina de Valonia (Valonia display).

More Information:

Location:

San Ignacio, La Habana, Cuba

Interactive map:

Havana:

Old Havana

Parque Histórico Militar Morro Cabaña

Centro Habana

Vedado

Miramar

What to see around Havana

Other nearby destinations:

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