Today, I’m taking you to visit 👆🏻👇🏻
Construction of the Cathedral began before 1750, but the Jesuit Order was expelled from America in the following years. The Oratory was left unfinished (yes, the Jesuits didn’t design it as a cathedral)
Although it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it took many years to complete. This is why its towers are unequal and the chapels do not have the same dimensions.
In another article, we will revisit the history of this marvel of American Baroque. Follow me so you don’t miss it! ;)
Today, I want you to join me to see the views from the lookout of one of its towers.
The Cathedral Square was part of the restoration process that the historic center of the city underwent (and is still ongoing).
The towers of the Cathedral also underwent restoration, which allowed them to be opened to visitors.
Before climbing the tower, you must follow the route through the interior of the Cathedral.
-Don’t rush; take your time and admire every detail of the Cathedral’s interior-
It’s incredible to think that such a work was completed four centuries ago.
Before finishing the tour, you will see a sign indicating the price of the visit, and behind it, a very patient and calm gentleman who will charge you and guide you on where to go up.
Visiting the tower of the Havana Cathedral costs 50 CUP for foreigners and 10 CUP for Cubans (less than 50 cents). This money is used for charitable works of the religious site, according to the gentleman at the entrance.
In the courtyard to access the Tower, we encountered some kittens that didn’t seem very accustomed to visitors; still, we greeted them and decided to go up through the small door at the back.
This tower has more than five bells of different sizes, which ring depending on the celebration to alert all the inhabitants of this side of the city.
The staircase to access the bells couldn’t be more colonial. Narrow (quite), with steps that, if you had to run up, would leave more than one person breathless. In other words: We got our exercise for the day.
As you climb, there are openings in the structure that allow air to circulate and also provide views of the outside. For us, they were the only way to realize we were going up, but we couldn’t stop wondering how they built such a narrow staircase.
We reached the first level, where we found the first bells (which are not the largest). Here you can step inside the Cathedral’s façade and take a more incredible photo of the Cathedral Square.
We continued exercising, I mean, climbing. The top was the goal. We started to see the Cabaña Fortress, the Havana Cathedral is very close to the bay.
From there, we could see the rest of the Cathedral; it’s incredible that this was done so many years ago with such rudimentary technology.
On the second level, we found the largest bell of the Cathedral, installed in 1777 (the bell itself says so). In the distance, we see the Capitol rising and what remains of the Saratoga Hotel.
The views from this level were our favorites. From there, we saw a large part of the historic center; it felt like traveling back in time.
Of course, the photo of the Cathedral Square couldn’t be missing. We were lucky to find it empty and were able to capture the entire mosaic of the square.
Only the third level remained.
Paradoxically, we didn’t like the views from here much. Although you can sit and rest from the climb.
According to what we were told, this level was not part of the original plans, but it was necessary to add it and it was only thought of as a culmination. That is, it had no aesthetic function.
Still, if you can, reach the end. It’s definitely worth it to see Havana from this place. The Tower is incredible.
I must confess that at 24 years old and after researching the city daily, I had never climbed this tower before; it surprised and delighted me.
Before finishing, if you decide to visit the place, please leave a donation in one of the urns in the Cathedral. These are used for charitable causes and the ongoing maintenance of the Cathedral.
Without a doubt, it’s a place I highly recommend visiting.
Today, I’ll say goodbye without asking you questions, but not before inviting you to comment on whatever you like.
It will be a pleasure to read you down there.
Read you soon...
[dahpilot]
All photos are mine