-
Obra Pia House, Havana . Cuba
- Destination: Havana
- Open: Daily
- Address From: Obrapia 158 Esq. Mercaderes, Old Havana. Cuba
- Telephone:
-
Add your photo - Reviews
Write a review
-
Description Architecture: Obra Pia House, Havana . Cuba
This house is one of the greater distinctions at the colonial time. At the moment of its renovation some elements and forms of what is called Cuban baroque were introduced.
The house is the result of the fusion of two adjoining properties. It has a spacious courtyard, surrounded by a gallery by three of its sides with stone arches and columns. In its construction highlights a great diversity of arches: trilobites and splayed arches, arches formed by an exact semicircle and basket-handle arches contrasting with the chromaticism of the friezes.
The house’s façade is a unique and original example in its design. It was conceived and carried out in Cadiz in the year 1686. The sumptuous door contrasts with the simple bareness of the colossal façade.
Also, it is remarkable a kind of attic or third floor, apparently for the rooms of the domestic staff.
After a meticulous work, by November of 1983 one of the most beautiful colonial mansions in the Historic Center of Old Havana, the House of Charity, was completely restored.
Built in 1648, it is one of the most remarkable examples of domestic architecture in Havana. The portico, crowned with the family coat of arms, is the only one in the city.
This house and the street where its main façade is located, own their names to Martin Calvo who established in 1669 the door of a charitable institution (Obra Pía) aimed at giving economic support, every year, to five orphan girls that can create their own families.
Now as a house-museum, its objective is to exhibit and preserve important museum collections that are part of the history of Cuba.
This institution also intends to rescue and promote traditions such as the ones related to textile handicraft. For that purpose, the Sisterhood of Embroiderers and Weavers has its seat in this mansion since 1994.
At the moment, the museum has nine permanent exhibition rooms and one for transitory exhibitions. In the rooms people can see the way of life of aristocracy in Havana in the 19th century through different collections of decorative arts objects such as pieces of china; oil paintings; biscuit pieces; glassware; tapestries; marble, alabaster, calamine or bronze sculptures. There are also utility objects, furniture, personal objects and archeological pieces in exhibition. Among these rooms the Chapel stands out. Its pieces of furniture are true pieces of art in marble and wood.
The museum also displays a collection of pieces of French china, which belonged to different Cuban families of the 19th century, and lingerie in tablecloths, glass holders, and napkins. One piece that catches the attention of all visitors is the family tree of José Ignacio de la Cámara de O’Reilly Morel de Santa Cruz.
The precious white and gray marble of the floor, the great colonial lamps made of rock and baccarat glass as well as a variety of oil paintings, stand out in the main room.
The Room of Mysteries, a room that has been associated to several legends and whose original use is still an enigma today, is located on the roof of the house. -
Obra Pia House Map
-
HOTELS NEXT
- Conde de Villanueva Hotel
84m - Ambos Mundos Hotel
88m - Hostal Valencia Hotel
122m - El Comendador Hotel
165m
-
- To view all Architecture in Havana then click here .
- To view all Architecture in Cuba then click here .
-
Lions Fountain
Lat:23.13730 Lon:-82.34840
It is said that around the year 1600 the first fountain of the city could be seen at the San Francisco…
Old Havana
Lat:23.13705 Lon:-82.34866
Old Havana, which for centuries was inside the walled part of the city, was founded in late 1519 at…
La Bodeguita del Medio
Lat:23.14080 Lon:-82.35230
The walls are plastered with autographs and drawings left by travelers who have relished the bar's grilled…
Rum Museum
Lat:23.13590 Lon:-82.34774
Discover part of the Cuban culture throught the history of Havana Club, the Cuban Rum, and its elaboration…
Fine Arts Museum
Lat:23.14018 Lon:-82.35725
The National Fine Arts Museum was created in 1913 and in 1955 it was moved to the building that currently…
Floridita
Lat:23.13730 Lon:-82.35730
This bar is one of the most elegant bars in all of Havana, with many of its patrons being important…
Museum of Revolution
Lat:23.14170 Lon:-82.35670
It is located in a colorful building of a large dome and a mixture of styles which was official residence…
Paseo Alameda de Paula
Lat:23.13220 Lon:-82.34800
Alameda de Paula, a wonderful Promenade built during the second half of the XVIII century.
-
Obra Pia House
Lat:23.13870 Lon:-82.35020
After a meticulous work, by November of 1983 one of the most beautiful colonial mansions in the Historic…
The Asian House
Lat:23.13900 Lon:-82.35010
It was the mansion of an influential Dominican clergyman in the 18th century. It was restored in 1997…
Africa House
Lat:23.13850 Lon:-82.35050
It is located in an old colonial palace in Old Havana, and it was inaugurated in 1986. It holds valuable…
9 de Abril Gun Smith's Museum
Lat:23.13837 Lon:-82.34988
This gunsmith’s shop, founded in 1934 under the name of Gunsmith Company of Cuba, was attacked…
Oswaldo Guayasamin Museum House
Lat:23.13882 Lon:-82.34962
The House-museum Oswaldo Guayasamín has three permanent expositions to honour and preserve the memory…
The Taquechel Pharmaceutical Museum
Lat:23.13933 Lon:-82.35078
An old family house adapted in 1898 to establish an important pharmacy. Restored in 1996, it was turned…
Museo de la Orfebreria
Lat:23.13955 Lon:-82.34998
Located in an old colonial house where the famous silversmith Gregorio Tabares lived and had his workshop…
Automovil Museum
Lat:23.13923 Lon:-82.34925
An exhibition of classic cars can be enjoyed in this singular place, including the Cadillac used by…
City Museum
Lat:23.13990 Lon:-82.35030
The museum of the city has permanent exhibition halls with collections of arts and history of the colonial…
-
Armas Square
Lat:23.13940 Lon:-82.35060
The first known public square of Havana was located on the spot that, later on in the 16th century,…
Arms Square
Lat:23.13940 Lon:-82.35060
Today called Marti Park, from there were planned the first 25 blocks of what would be the urban center…
San Fransisco Square
Lat:23.13750 Lon:-82.34860
Called San Francisco because of the convent next to it, this square was conceived in 1628, with the…
Plaza Vieja - Old Square
Lat:23.13600 Lon:-82.35000
Considering the decision taken by the keeper of the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, in the first half of…
Cathedral Square
Lat:23.14120 Lon:-82.35178
The area where the Plaza de la Catedral is located used to be, according to 17th century records, a…
Cristo Square
Lat:23.13580 Lon:-82.35610
By agreement of the town council, in March, 1640 the Plaza del Cristo was created. The project also…
Jose Marti Revolution Square
Lat:23.12420 Lon:-82.38590
The area was originally called Civic Square, in the 1950s. During the past 40 years, it has been the…
-
National Botanical Gardens
Lat:22.99233 Lon:-82.34296
This spacious area located in Lenin Park contains everything from a Japanese garden to greenhouses bursting…
-
Obra Pia House
Lat:23.13870 Lon:-82.35020
This house is one of the greater distinctions at the colonial time. At the moment of its renovation…
The House of Arabians
Lat:23.13910 Lon:-82.34940
The huge old house hosting this museum, placed in the very heart of the ancient part of Havana, is the…
Captain Generals Palacio
Lat:23.13997 Lon:-82.34998
One of the most important architectural monuments in Old Havana, of a neat Baroque style, is the ancient…
Real Fuerza Castle Museum
Lat:23.14020 Lon:-82.34990
A previous fortress, the Fuerza Vieja (Old Force), was badly damaged in 1555 during an attack on Havana…
Lonja del Comercio Building Comerce Guild
Lat:23.13810 Lon:-82.34850
Open since 1909, the project was designed by the Valencian architect and sculptor Tomás Mur,…
El Templete
Lat:23.14049 Lon:-82.34903
This small neo-classical style construction was built in the second half of the 18th Century. It is…
San Fransisco de Asis Convent
Lat:23.13705 Lon:-82.34866
This is one of the most extraordinary convent and church complex of the colonial time. The plan of the…
Marques de Aguas Claras House
Lat:23.14100 Lon:-82.35200
El Patio, the residence of the Marquis de Aguas Claras is placed in the Cathedral Square, in the heart…
House of Casa Lombillo Count
Lat:23.13581 Lon:-82.35030
Doña María Luisa Peñalver y Navarrete lived in this house until her dying day in…
Cathedral Church
Lat:23.14120 Lon:-82.35178
The Cathedral (1748 -1777) dominating the Plaza de la Caterdral (1749) is the best example of Cuban…
-
San Fransisco de Asis Convent
Lat:23.13705 Lon:-82.34866
This is one of the most extraordinary convent and church complex of the colonial time. The plan of the…
Havana Cathedral
Lat:23.14120 Lon:-82.35178
The area where the Plaza de la Catedral is located used to be, according to 17th century records, a…
Santa Teresa de Jesus Convent and Church
Lat:23.13571 Lon:-82.35373
This was the last of the convents established in Havana in the 18th century. Its founders were the Doctor…
Santa Clara de Asis Convent and Church
Lat:23.13414 Lon:-82.35066
National Center for Restoration, Preservation and Museology This convent was the first monastery of…
Santo Angel Costudio Church
Lat:23.14160 Lon:-82.35580
It lies on one of the few and modest hills of the city, at first called Peña Pobre and then Loma…
Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church
Lat:23.13618 Lon:-82.35606
Before the Iglesia del Cristo was erected in 1640, a hermitage devoted to Nuestra Señora del…
Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Merced
Lat:23.13147 Lon:-82.35021
Since 1638 several setbacks conspired against this convent being built, but finally, with help from…
San Francisco de Paula Church
Lat:23.13090 Lon:-82.34880
On the same spot where the Ermita del Calvario was first located, the Women´s Hospital of Saint…
Iglesia Metodista
Lat:23.13776 Lon:-82.38349
The architect Ricardo E. Acosta won the Franklin Gold Medal 1951, which gave valuable prize annually…
-
Monument to the victims of Maine
Lat:23.14490 Lon:-82.38250
This monument is located in Vedado, close to Linea and Malecon. It was built in 1926, crowned by an…
Jose Marti Monument
Lat:23.12260 Lon:-82.38640
A great exhibit of the life and work of the Apostle, and the story of the Memorial. A lookout from the…
Jose Marti Memorial
Lat:23.12260 Lon:-82.38640
A great exhibit of the life and work of the Apostle, and the story of the Memorial. A lookout from the…
-
Real Fuerza Castle Museum
Lat:23.14020 Lon:-82.34990
Around 1540 there was a fortress called Fuerza Vieja (Old Forces) in the place later occupied by the…
The Prince Fortress
Lat:23.14244 Lon:-82.35293
After the siege and occupation of Havana by the English, from 1762 to 1763, a careful consideration…
Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña
Lat:23.14710 Lon:-82.34950
Restablished the Hispanic dominance in Havana, one of the first dispositions of the king Carlos III,…
San Salvador de la Punta Fort
Lat:23.14600 Lon:-82.35750
La Punta just like El Morro was designed to protect the entrance to the Havana Bay that became an important…
Morro Castle
Lat:23.14920 Lon:-82.35510
From the 16th century on, the advantages of the natural rocky elevation that lay by the bay’s…
San Lazaro Turret
Lat:23.14160 Lon:-82.37408
The creek next to the town, where the turret was erected was known at first by the name of the lot’s…
Castillo de Jagua
Lat:23.13578 Lon:-82.38805
In Castillo de Jagua Fortress, which is considered the 3ª important fortress of the country and…
Chorrera Fortress
Lat:23.13200 Lon:-82.40950
If the 16th century had La Real Fuerza as an invulnerable shield in its military conception, and the…
Cojimar Fortress
Lat:23.16730 Lon:-82.29460
If the 16th century had La Real Fuerza as an invulnerable shield in its military conception, and the…
Cojimar Fortress
Lat:23.16730 Lon:-82.29460
If the 16th century had La Real Fuerza as an invulnerable shield in its military conception, and the…
-
Museo de la Revolucion Car rental office
Calle Refugio. Nro. 1, entre Zuleta y Avenida de las Misiones
78632271 744m -
La Rampa Gas stations
Calle 23 e Infanta, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 8731480/873148 2km 950m Tángana Gas stations
Malecón y 13. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 334588 3km 545m L y 17 Gas stations
L y 17, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 334587 3km 660m
Guanabo Gas stations
Vía Blanca No. 46005 y 462, Intermitente de Guanabo. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 964093/964094 3km 660m Ayestarán Gas stations
Ayestarán y Ave. de Rancho Boyeros. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 666051 5km 160m
Riviera Gas stations
Paseo y Malecon. Havana City. Cuba. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 333027 5km 321m 17 y 12 Gas stations
Calle 12 esq. a 17, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 8339238/8333272 5km 399m Santa Catalina Gas stations
Santa Catalina y Vento. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 335531 5km 714m
El Tunel Gas stations
Calle 2 No. 518 e/ 5ta. B y 7ma. B, Miramar, Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2041906/2047470 6km 483m
31 y 18 Gas stations
Ave. 31 y 18, Miramar. Havana City. Cuba. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2040520 7km 085m -
0011 Automatic Cash
Calle 17 e/ M y N, FOCSA. Havana City
3km 540m 0014 Automatic Cash
Línea No. 705 e/ Paseo y A. Havana City
5km 092m 0073 Automatic Cash
Calle 1ra. No. 40 e/ 0 y 2, CIMEX
6km 727m 0115 Automatic Cash
Calle 70 e/ 1ra. y 3ra., Hotel LTI Panorama. Havana City
9km 626m
0160 Automatic Cash
Calle 17 No. 8215 e/ 82 y 84. Havana City
9km 798m 0030 Automatic Cash
Ave. 3ra. e/ 78 y 80. Havana City
9km 967m 0067 Automatic Cash
Calle 16 No. 306 e/ 3ra. y 5ta.. Havana City
9km 967m 0183 Automatic Cash
Calle 16 No. 310 e/ 3ra. y 5ta. Havana City
9km 967m 0031 Automatic Cash
5ta. Ave. esq. a 112. Havana City
11km 219m -
Lonja del Comercio Currency Exchange
Calle Oficios esq. a Baratillo. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 669628 149m Hotel Sevilla Currency Exchange
Paseo del Prado esq. a Refugio. Havana City
(537) 8639030 866m Hotel Parque Central Currency Exchange
Paseo del Prado e/ Neptuno y Virtudes. Havana City
— 881m Hotel Deauville Currency Exchange
Calle Galiano esq. a Malecón. Havana City. Havana City. Cuba
— 1km 424m Hotel Vedado Currency Exchange
Calle O e/ 23 y 21. Havana City. Havana City. Cuba
— 3km 051m Hotel Nacional Currency Exchange
Calle O y 21. Havana City
(537) 8733564 3km 880m Hotel Cohiba Currency Exchange
Calle Paseo e/ 1ra. y 3ra. Havana City. Havana City. Cuba
— 5km 349m Hotel Riviera Currency Exchange
Calle Paseo esq. a Malecón. Havana City
(537) 662185 5km 485m Agromercado 15 y 24 Currency Exchange
Calle 15 y 24, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 333915 6km 072m Kasalta Currency Exchange
Ave. 5ta.B esq. a calle 2. Havana City. Cuba
— 6km 520m -
Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinic
San Lazaro No. 701 e/ Belascoain y Marquez Gonzalez. Centro Haban
(537) 8761000 2km 159m
Retinosis Pigmentaria Centro Internacional Camilo Cienfuegos Clinic
Calle L No. 151 e/ Linea y 13, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 8333886 3km 797m
Instituto Cardiovascular Clinic
Calle 17 esq. a Paseo, Vedado. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 8382652-53 4km 750m SPA Hotel Riviera Clinic
Malecón y Paseo, Vedado . Havana City
(537) 8368756 5km 485m Sucursal Servicios Médicos Internacionales Clinic
Calle 18 No. 4304 e/ 43 y 47, Miramar. Havana City
(537) 2040114 6km 767m
Centro de Histoterapia Placentaria Clinic
Calle 18 esq. a 43. Playa. Havana City. Cuba
6km 793m
Cira Garcia, Clinica Central Clinic
Calle 20 No. 4101 esq. a 41. Playa . Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2040331 6km 846m
Ramon Pando Ferrer, Hospital Clinic
Calle 76 No. 3104. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2654800 9km 025m
Comodoro, SPA Club Clinic
Ave 1ra. y 84, Miramar. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2045049 10km 174m
Orthopedic Hospital Frank Pais Clinic
Ave. 51 No. 19603 e/ 196 y 200. Havana City, Cuba
(537) 2627022 ext. 478 12km 910m -
International Drugstore Hotel Sevilla Drugstore
Calle Prado esq. a Trocadero. Havana City
(5348) 8615703 866m International Drugstore Hotel Habana Libre Drugstore
Calle 23 esq. a L , Vedado. Havana City
(5348) 8319538 3km 334m International Drugstore 41 y 20 Drugstore
Ave. 41 esq. a 20, Miramar. Havana City
(537) 2069985 6km 913m International Drugstore Casa Bella Drugstore
7ma. Ave. y 22 No. 2603. Havana City
(537) 2047980 7km 473m International Drugstore Miramar Centro de Negocios Drugstore
Ave 3ra. y 82, Miramar. Havana City
(537) 2044515 9km 958m
International Drugstore SPA Comodoro Drugstore
Ave 3ra. y 84, Miramar. Havana City. Cuba
(537) 2049385 10km 174m International Drugstore Terminal No. 3, Aeropuerto Internacional “José Martí” Drugstore
Terminal No. 3. Havana City
(537) 2664105 16km 770m -
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.
Port Avenue
Statue of El Cristo (The Christ)
Tabacco Museum
Albear Square
San Carlos y San Ambrosio
Memorial a los Estudiantes de Medicina
Antonio Maceo Monument
-
- SPECIAL OFFER
-20% car rental - SPECIAL OFFER
-20% moto rental - SPECIAL OFFER
-20% Transfer - SPECIAL OFFER
-20% campervan rental - SPECIAL OFFER
-20% Cigar Tour - SPECIAL OFFER
-20% Tour Old Car - CAR RENTAL OFFICES BY DESTINATIONS.
- HOTELS BY DESTINATIONS.
-
Cuba Tech & Travel Ltd.
Havana City, Cuba
Cristal Voyages S.A.
14 rue Rousseau, CH 1201 Geneve
