Bacardi Building, Havana. Cuba

• ( 23 reviews)
• Old Havana. Cuba
• Daily
• Destination: Havana

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At the end of 19th Century, the Bacardi rum was very famous in Cuba and abroad. Its creator, Don Emilio Bacardi, was a Spaniard settled in the island. It is said that he had a bat as a talisman which was used as logo in the first distillery that made him to win fortune. It is known that Bacardi held the title of "Supplier of the Casa Real Española".

This decoration was given in the year 1886 thanks to the healing powers that the Bacardi liquor had on a serious illness the Spanish king Alfonso XVIII suffered during his childhood. With some many lineage and tradition, Don Emilio wished to build a venue worthy for the quality of his drink, thus, in the year 1920 began the construction of this magnificent architectural jewel, representative of the Art Decó in fashion at that time. The building was designed by the architects Esteban Rodriguez Castells, Rafael Fernandez Ruenes and Jose Menendez.

bacardi interiorIts construction cost about 400,000 pesos and last 5 years. At that moment, the tip of its main tower was the highest point of Cuba. The famous bat, symbol of the family and logo of the drink brand crowns this tower. The granite used in this construction was imported from Bavaria and Norway. From the latest, the first honeys used in the preparation of the rum.

The color of the ceramic flagstones covering the upper floors is bright yellow referring to white and gold rums exported by the famous firm. As a culmination of this building, the upper floors and the tower, both raised in a pyramidal way, are of the exquisite and bright design that combines blue and dun stripes with bright gold panels.

The richness of its interior decoration is given mainly by the natural beauty of its marbles, brought from Europe and for the complementation with typical accessories of Art Deco like lamps, ironworks, drawings, etc.

In the year 2001 the building was restored thanks to the cooperation with an Italian firm. It maintains in its interior the original decoration in a good shape, as well as, the external part of the building.

Today, the building is the headquarter for representative agencies of tour operators among others. The visitor can access to its interior and enjoy the bar located at the mezzanine

Bacardi Building Map

Bacardi Building is located in Havana

Capital of Cuba and the country's administrative, political, cultural and scientific center, it is also the capital of two provinces: City of Havana and Havana. Though only around 280 square miles (727 square kilometers) in size-0.65 percent of the archipelago's total area.

The Old Havana and system of forts led UNESCO to declare it a part of world heritage in 1982. Founded on its present site in 1519, the settlement of San Cristobal de La Habana prospered mainly due to its bay, which was a natural port of call for ships sailing to and from the New World. Starting in 1634, because of its strategic location, San Cristobal de La Habana was considered the key to the New World-as attested to by royal letters patent-and the main defense of the West Indies.

The Cuban capital consists of an immense number of buildings in a wide range of architectural styles, built in the course of nearly five centuries. These styles range from the pre-baroque to the baroque, neo-Gothic, neoclassical, eclectic, art noveau and art-deco, to the modern.

Alejo Carpentier, one of Cuba's most famous authors, called it "the city of columns" and focused attention on its streets, which he considered a perennially rich show of life, humanity and contrasts that was bound to entertain any observer.

Over 14 kilometers of excellent beaches lie to the east of the Cuban capital. To the south, a green belt contributes to a healthful atmosphere.

Review about Architecture: Bacardi Building