Parque Central, Havana. Cuba

• ( 23 reviews)
• Parque Central, Centro Habana, Cuba
• Daily
• Destination: Havana

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A real haven in the city, the Parque Central offers an important place to escape the traffic and city noise, growing to its present-day size in the latter part of the 19th century, following the removal of the city walls. Central Park is based within Old Havana and is the main park to head to for relaxation and a picnic. The park lies at the western edge of this historical district and is on par with El Malecon for people-watching. There are museums, colonial buildings, top hotels and walking paths galore. Particularly notable is the Jose Marti statue, the Centro Gallego, the 2000-seater Gran Teatro de La Habana (Grand Theatre), and the very unusual Esquina Caliente - a corner where crowds gather to debate baseball.

Parque Central Map

Parque Central 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 Parks: Parque Central