Plaza de Armas (Havana)

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Plaza de Armas is the oldest town square in Habana Vieja. [1]

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Early history

Plaza de Armas - Havana, Cuba Habana - Plaza de Armas 02.jpg
Plaza de Armas - Havana, Cuba

Established in the early 1520s in Habana Vieja, the Plaza de las Armas was designed to serve as the original main square for the military and government in Havana. [2] As Spanish custom when they laid out a new town, open space was reserved for a public square when the city was founded in 1519. [3] The Plaza de Armas was commandeered for military use by the 1580s. [4] The name was La Plaza de Armas, translating to "Place of Arms". [5]

In 1777, a church was demolished to make way for the new residence of the governor-general. [3] The Governor's Palace was situated on Plaza de Armas and occupied one whole side of the square. [6] In 1896, the square was described as consisting of four parks with Ceiba trees and a marble statue of Ferdinand VII in the center. [7] Ramón Blanco was the last Spanish captain-general to occupy the site, and after 1899, it became the executive seat of the Cuban government. [8]

The square in Old Havana was surrounded by historic buildings including Castillo de la Real Fuerza, El Templete, the Federal Supreme Court, and the Senate building. [3]

See also

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References

  1. Clipper Guide to Cuba: Editorial Clippers - 1947 Edition. (1947). The National Tourist Commission. p. 99.
  2. McAuslan, F., Norman, M. (2010). The Rough Guide to Havana. United Kingdom: Rough Guides Limited.
  3. 1 2 3 "Old World Style Yields to Modern - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. McAuslan, F., Norman, M. (2003). Cuba. United Kingdom: Rough Guides.
  5. "Havana! - "Paris of the Americas!" - "Gem of the Antilles!" - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  6. "A Glimpse At Havana - Society, Customs, etc. - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  7. "Havana Has A History - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  8. "The Change of Rulers: Spanish Soverignty in the Island of Cuba - Newspapers.com™". newspapers.com. Retrieved 2024-05-27.

23°08′25″N82°20′58″W / 23.1402°N 82.3495°W / 23.1402; -82.3495