La Habana, Old and New

Havana is one of the oldest continuously occupied European cities in North America.  Euopeans have lived on the site since 1515, 50 years before St Augustine Florida.  Of course, Taino Indians live there for hundreds of years before that.  In fact, the city may have derived its name from the name of a Taino chieftain, Habanaguanex.

Today, the ancient Spanish fort, El Morro still overlooks the harbor.  Its full name is Castillo de los Tres Reyes Magos del Morro or castle of the Three Magi.  From its ramparts one can see modern buildings and skyscrapers and new construction.

  Throughout “La Ciudad Vieja,” the old city, are reminders of its often glorious past; massive stone buildings, plazas flanked by churches and baroque European buildings.

Then modern, featureless apartment buildings poke up at the clouds while abandoned buildings fall into sad states of disrepair.

  Even those buildings, their top floors open to the sky attract occupants in a city with a housing shortage.  Neat apartments occupy space over street level shops.  Regardless of where you look, everyday seems to be laundry day.  Washing hangs from lines stretched across the façades, balconies and windows.

There are fine turn of the century buildings, courtyards that transport you to Spain, Streets in la Ciudad Vieja are lined with souvenir shops all selling the same things made from bamboo, leather, and straw.

La Habana has clearly seen good times and bad times.  Most people I talked to believe that things are getting better today and the future will be even better.