The book market
Old books under the trees.
Burkhard Mücke — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Anagoria — CC BY 3.0 · Guillaume Baviere from Uppsala, Sweden — CC BY 2.0 · LBM1948 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · BenjiPill — CC BY-SA 4.0
Plaza de Armas is the oldest square in Old Havana, laid out in the early 1520s as Havana's first main square for the military and government, about 3.4 km from the city centre in a straight line, near the old town's waterfront. As was Spanish custom when founding a town, open space was set aside for a public square when Havana was founded, and it was taken over for military use by the 1580s, which gave it its name. In 1777 the residence of the governor-general was built here, occupying one whole side of the square. A shady garden with trees, palms, paths and a fountain fills the centre, surrounded by historic buildings including the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, El Templete and the Palace of the Captains General. In the late 19th century the square was described as four small parks planted with ceiba trees. The square is known for its second-hand book market, where sellers lay out old books, stamps and magazines on stalls under the trees. It is a good place to start a walk around Old Havana. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cuba because of fuel, power and water shortages, so read the current advice before you plan.
Old books under the trees.
On one side of the square.
Palms and a fountain.
Old Havana, Havana, Cuba
Castillo de la Real FuerzaThe Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the «Castle of the Royal Force», is a bastion fo1 minute walk
Havana CathedralHavana Cathedral is a stone church on the Plaza de la Catedral in Old Havana and3 minutes walk
Plaza ViejaPlaza Vieja, the Old Square, is a broad square in Old Havana lined with colourfu6 minutes walk
Old HavanaOld Havana is the original heart of the city, bounded by the line of its old wal6 minutes walk
La Cabaña FortressLa Cabaña is a huge stone fortress on a hill at the entrance to Havana harbour. 10 minutes walkYes, it is a public square.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza.