153 Obispo St. on the corner of Mercaderes St., Old Havana ,
Havana, Cuba
(+53) 78609529
yes
About
Ambos Mundos
Much is made of Ernest Hemingway’s predilection for staying at the Hotel Ambos Mundos. He wrote the first few chapters of ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ in room 551, which is now maintained as something of a shrine.
The rooms are comfortable and this also applies to the ground floor bar area, with its cosy, squishy modern sofas. The roof terrace has great views of the Plaza de Armas and environs; for the main advantage of staying in the Ambos Mundos is proximity to all the best and most beautiful parts of Old Havana.
Clients can derive a warm philanthropic glow from the fact that since the hotel is run by the Office of the City Historian of Havana through its company called Habaguanex. All its profits are reinvested in the restoration of the city’s historical centre.
From 15th June 2014 the Hotel Ambos Mundos will start renovation on their 5th floor. All rooms on this floor (including Ernest Hemingway’s museum room) will be closed. The renovation will last for at least 6 months.
Oficios No.13, La Habana
Automobile Museum
The Museo del Automóvil (Automobile Museum) is located in an 1892 Neoclassical construction in Old Havana. This museum is divided in two exposition rooms, which share the entire collection composed by 30 promenade cars, two rigid trucks, a funeral carriage, a special vehicle, seven motorcycles, a semaphore, three fuel pumps and two didactic imitations. This museum has a very well preserved and interesting collection of old automobiles, among which are the noteworthy Thunderbird, Pontiac, and Ford T, among others. The oldest vehicle in the collection dates from 1905, and the latest one comes from 1989. Most of them are North American, although some cars were made in Italy, Spain, Germany and Great Britain. It houses automobiles related to specific people and others antiquated vehicles. An example of this is the Cadillac used by Ernesto Che Guevara when living in Havana, the 1930 Fiat from Flor Loynaz, or the 1959 Oldsmobile used by Commander Camilo Cienfuegos.
San Ignacio No.61 (Plaza de la Catedral), Habana Vieja, La Habana
Colonial Art Museum
The Museo de Arte Colonial (Colonial Art Museum) is housed within the oldest construction in Old Havana, the Condes de Casa Bayona Palace, a mansion rebuilt in 1720 by Cuban Governor, Don Luis Chachón. The palace’s Classical patio and coffered ceiling made intricately of wood stand out within this construction. The palace boasts a wonderful location, right in front of the San Cristóbal de La Habana Cathedral. This small museum has a Colonial furniture and decorative art exhibition, amongst which will stand out some pottery with Colonial Cuba motifs, as well as several scenes of Colonial dining rooms and a fantastic collection of ornamental flowers.
Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabaña, Carretera de La Cabana, Habana del Este
The Cannon Blast Ceremony
The Cannon Blast ceremony (El Cañonazo de las Nueve) is one of the oldest and attractive traditions of Havana. In colonial days, the shots signalled the closing of the gates of the walled city and the rising of the chain across the entrance to the harbour. The tradition of firing a cannon every night at 9:00 pm was kept even after the wall was torn down and is still used for checking your watch.
San Ignacio y Empedrado, Habana Vieja
The Cathedral Of Havana
The Cathedral of Havana is an iconic work of what is known as Cuban Baroque and the most remarkable of our colonial churches. The glorious baroque facade and asymmetrical bell-towers of the late 18th-century cathedral are the square’s top attraction. Its interior is surprisingly plain, but it once held the remains of Christopher Columbus. Religious services are held here. It has been declared a National Monument.