The Napoleonic Museum is located in the Vedado district, next to the University of Havana, at 1159 San Miguel Street, Plaza de la Revolución municipality, Cuba. During my visit I was able to learn about the history of the objects exhibited and about the building that houses them. Thanks to the comments and explanations of the guide who accompanied us, I was able to learn several things of interest.
Until this moment, I had always had a wrong idea about the objects exhibited here. I had always believed that the owner of this mansion was a man obsessed with Napoleon's life and that he had dedicated himself to buying and collecting his belongings. However, I was wrong; the house was built by Orestes Ferrera, a politician who amassed a great fortune and who, in reality, had nothing to do with this impressive collection. Most of the objects on display belonged to Julio Lobo, an eminent businessman, and were moved to this place after their owner left the country.
The museum is visited by many foreigners and Napoleon scholars. They are all surprised to see the great amount of objects it houses, with a collection of more than seven thousand relics including furniture, armaments, uniforms, letters, personal objects and other works of art related to the Napoleonic empire and the life of the Little Corporal, "Le Petit Caporal", who became emperor of France.
The museum is very large; the house has three levels, and the visit to the place becomes extensive, therefore, in order not to make the publication too long I will divide it into two parts, today's part would correspond to the first level and the first floor.
This mansion was named by its owner as La Dolce Dimora (The Sweet Abode). Inside you can see the luxury with which its former owner lived, surrounded by columns and marble floors and doors and furniture of precious woods. The marble, very common in the great mansions of Havana, adds great elegance. The main door is made of a large piece of wrought iron and, upon entering, we find ourselves in a large living room with a floor covered with gray and white marble slabs, and a wide staircase that leads to the upper floor.
On the ceiling a large iron lamp and, on the floor, several marble decorations and sculptures, including one of Napoleon.
At the end of this large room there is a backyard, with several benches, ornamental plants and some cannons as decoration. When leaving, I had a warm welcome from a beautiful kitty, which I imagine to be the mascot of this place, seemed to enjoy my company, staying in my legs and giving me affection 😻.
Back inside, as we go up the staircase leading to the next level, there are several decorations and portraits of French historical figures.
Here is a large hall that was where the owner of the house held parties and dances of high society, and which houses objects related to the military history of this great leader. There are several war uniforms and other allegorical objects. This place left me in awe, not so much for the collection, which is also impressive, but for the decoration of the place. The entrance of the hall has large doors of precious wood with beautiful carving, the floor is marble with a tone that matches the decorations of the place, and the tall windows are adorned with colorful stained glass windows and an imposing roof chandelier.
Climbing the staircase we reach the second floor where there are several valuable objects. The first thing I notice is a porcelain amphora, decorated with a landscape allegorical to the battle of Austerlitz. Then, you enter a hall where a set of elegant mahogany furniture upholstered in silk, arranged on a carpet of the nineteenth century, and the most beautiful of all a Baccarat crystal chandelier, Napoleon's gift to his first wife Josephine is exhibited.
Opposite is the dining room, with a large table surrounded by ten chairs. The upholstery of the chairs is decorated with the bee, a Masonic symbol. The museum guide explained to us that Napoleon belonged to the Masonic religion and that is why this symbol is represented in the design of this furniture. Another beautiful crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling and the walls are another work of art, painted in pastel tones that further enhance the decor.
This place not only allows you to learn about the history and life of Napoleon, but also to enjoy the luxury and design wonders of past eras. I think my photos do not do honor to all the beauty that is here, so I recommend anyone who can visit it to do so, I'm sure you will love it.
So much for this first encounter with the Napoleonic Museum. I hope you liked my publication.
