PALACIO DE LOS CAPITANES GENERALES

This palace houses the city's current museum. Built from 1776 to 1791, under the direction of Captain General Felipe Fondesviela, Marquis de la Torre, the palace was inaugurated by the illustrious Don Luis de las Casas. From that date on, and for more than a hundred years, the palace became the official residence of the Captains General appointed by the King of Spain, representing the first civil and military authority of the island. In total, 65 governors followed one another. In 1834, Miguel de Tacón made major changes to the building, which are still visible today. The last common law prisoners were removed and the cells were converted into workshops and rented out to craftsmen. At the end of the Spanish domination, the palace successively hosted the governments of the first and second American interventions (1899-1902 and 1906-1909). Between 1902 and 1920 it served as the presidential palace. Later, the Havana City Council held its council meetings there until 1967, when its restoration began. The Museum of the City opened the following year. This building is undoubtedly the most important of the Spanish colonial heritage. Together with the neighboring Segundo Cabo Palace and the Cathedral, it forms a trilogy of Cuban Baroque. The façade facing the square has nine arches supported by ten columns, crowned with the Spanish coat of arms. An absolutely mandatory visit for all architecture lovers.