The House of Arabians, Havana . Cuba

• Oficios 114 e/ Obispo y Obrapia, Old Havana
• Destination: Havana
• Open: Daily
• Telephone:
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The House of Arabians

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The huge old house hosting this museum, placed in the very heart of the ancient part of Havana, is the materialization of the Moorish spirit that influenced with strength the Cuban architecture since the18th century.
The arches of red bricks, the shape of the ceilings and their galleries, the ample interior patios decorated with plants and flowers, are a synthesis of the examples of the constructive style inherited by Spain from the Muslim Arabia, the masons that arrived to Cuba.
Its rooms hold the cabinetworks inlaid of pearl and precious woods; the practical and majestic costumes of the nomads of Sahara, the camels’ riding mount of and outstanding manufacture, the confection of carpets and tapestries, and the zoco, a traditional Arabian market, which is reproduced in the museum.
In the exhibition there is also a beauty of nature: the Rose of the Desert, a rare calcareous structure in a form of a flower. It is formed in the sand when the humidity containing a high level of salt evaporates.
The Islamic weapons from the 18th and 19th centuries covered with gold and silver in a detailed ornament, are part of one of the most complete collections in the country. There is also a small reproduction of the dhow, typical sailing ships in the Persian Gulf, which have slightly change their image in the last 500 years.
The Ibn Jaldum library holds important collections concerning Arabian and Islamic topics, especially 19th century historical chronicles, essays about the Islam and text of contemporary Arabian and Islamic art.
The Arabian House is the only place where in the city having a Muslim worship room opened to national and foreign followers, with a collection of the Koran and other objects used in the cult.
This institution was inaugurated in November 16th, 1983 as part of a project of integral restoration led by the Office of the Historian of Havana.
Its cultural and educative program includes guided visits, exhibitions, concerts, conferences, dance shows, poets meetings, book launches, exposition of traditional costumes, tasting typical cuisine, post grade curses, and attention to the elders and children of the community.

Mapa de The House of Arabians

The House of Arabians 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.