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It is an unmissable and sacred place in Havana, which beats to the rhythm of its people; a true relic of the city that proudly greets the bay.

The Plaza de Armas is a unique place in the Cuban capital, the heart of Old Havana. Not even the pandemic has been able to take away its charm, its centuries-old pride carved in the stones of its streets and buildings, keeping it one of the most loved by Cubans and tourists.

The square was, in its original version, the founding point of Havana, the place from which the city grew on a shore of the sea and where the civil and military authorities resided, for many years it was also the seat of the Parish Church, then, following several renovations, it changed its face until it reached what it is today.

To its ancient appearance are added buildings still emblematic of the Cuban capital, such as the Templete built where, according to legend, the first mass was celebrated and the first municipal council, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza with its iconic statue of the Giraldilla, the Palacio del Segundo Cabo built as a Post Office and Palace of the Intendency – and the Capitanes Generales building, seat of the colonial government, all jewels of Havana's heritage.

There are many stories and legends that accompany this place; its real and symbolic riches that make it great in the history of Cuba. The Plaza de Armas is much more than a tourist postcard, with its palaces and pigeons, or a reminder of the ancient power of the Spanish metropolis.