Places to visit in your holidays to Cuba.
Jose Mauricio Maurette
One of the most astounding constructions in Cuba is The Capitolio of Havana. Ever since it was completed in the 1930's, this gem of the Cuban architecture, has become, the pleasure of the locals and the enjoyment of the holiday makers.
Its past is as remarkable as its design. In the spot where today The Capitol of Havana elevates, a massive marsh existed which housed the first botanical garden ever built in Cuba around the 19th Century.
The grounding for the project of The Capitol of Havana took decades but once the foundation started it was concluded in only three years, something very extraordinary for a building of its size. That was an age of economic instability and immense unemployment and thousands of people found a post in this development.
The grand design was inaugurated on Thursday May 20, 1929. Anybody and everybody that was a celebrity in those times in Cuba graced with their presence the opening ceremony, among those was the President of The Republic Gerardo Machado.
The outlay the project' cost was 17 million in US dollars in those days which at present will be something around 100, 000 000 dollars. All the workforce drawn in the project and building were Cubans counting the prestigious architect Eugenio Raynieri Piedra.
Its dome is second in height to the tower at the Square of The Revolution. The style of the entire construction is an extraordinary expression of the Neoclassic architecture in Cuba. The portico it guarded by 17 enormous ionic pillars and 3 colossal mahogany doors imprinted with events of the Cuban history.
Right under the dome the third tallest statue indoors in the world can be admired. It is a maiden made of bronze wearing a long spear representing the republic of Cuba. It was brought from Italy and it was designed by the famous artist Angelo Zanelli.
The Capitol building housed the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate since it was built until 1959. After the triumph of the Revolution it became the largest museum in Cuba showing visitors the history of the pseudo republican times. Today sharing the space with the museum The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment has found in The Capitol the perfect seat.
Visiting the Capitol of Havana it can only be an astounding experience. It doors, rooms and columns hide a lot of history. If Havana is included in your package holiday and you are staying in a hotel in Havana Vieja area it will take you just some few minutes walk to this building. You must not miss the chance to see this dazzling piece of architecture and archive of so much history.
About the Author:
|
