Sunrise in Old Havana’s Plaza de la Catedral

Posted on by

One of the downfalls of taking an organized tour to Cuba (the only legal way for Americans to go) is that unfortunately there is not a lot of free time. Per the restrictions imposed by the US Treasury Department, Americans must spend the entire day doing people-to-people meetings. If you don’t attend one of the meetings, the US tour operator can loose their license. Our meetings began at 9 am and typically didn’t end until after dinner around 9 or 10 pm. Therefore, the only way to branch off on your own meant either early in the morning, during an occasional afternoon break or after dinner.

We had toured spectacular Old Havana on our first full day in Cuba after a morning presentation by a top Cuban architect, however, by the time we arrived it was mobbed. I got tons of photos but knew that I’d have to go back and explore on my own. I had read in my guide book that the best time of day in Old Havana is sunrise. A time when the hordes of camera-clad tourists are still in bed after a late night drinking rum and dancing salsa. A time when only the locals are out and about slowly starting their day.

I hailed a cab from my hotel, The Meliá Cohiba in Vedado and was in Old Havana at the Plaza de Catedrale by 7 am. When I arrived, there was not a soul there except me. Imagine my utter delight to have the entire square to myself. Indeed it was a delicious reward for dragging my tired body out of bed at 6:30 am on vacation.

Sunrise over Old Havana

Old Havana or Havana Vieja was founded by the Spanish in 1519 surrounding the natural harbor of the Bay of Havana, a strategic location to build a fort to protect the city from invaders. Old Havana is the historical heart of Havana with a majority of its lovely buildings built favoring Spanish Colonial, Moorish, Baroque and Neoclassical styles popular with the Spanish rule. Sadly much of the grandeur has faded into ruins yet in 1982 UNESCO declared Havana Vieja as a World Heritage Site and restoration has slowly began. In fact over one-third of Old Havana has been restored but funds are slow to find to finance the rest. Today as you meander around its windy, narrow streets you can see the restoration work in progress and it is fascinating.

Entering lovely Plaza de la Catedral, one of the five main squares in Old Havana.

Plaza de la Catedral is one of five historic main squares in Old Havana. The centerpiece of the square is the gorgeous Catedral de San Cristobal which was completed in 1777 by Jesuits. It is the most relevant Baroque landmark in Havana and is very Italian in style since it was built by an Italian priest.

The narrow serpentine streets surrounding the Plaza de la Catedral are the home of some of the city’s grandest mansions. These opulent homes were built around the 18th century, a time when Cuba was a very prosperous colony thanks to her growing sugar trade.

Once inside the beautiful courtyard of the Plaza de la Catedral lies the sensational Catedral de San Cristobal.  The cathedral’s Baroque facade with its gorgeous stained glass windows is stunning especially as the morning light casts a glowing spell across the top of the church and slowly meanders down.

The cathedral’s bells are said to have been cast with gold and silver mixed into bronze. I wasn’t there to hear them ring but I’m sure the sound echoes across the entire plaza. During the peak tourist times, Cubans dressed in traditional attire hang out near the cathedral hoping to make a buck if you take a photo with them.

 

I left just in time to get back to the hotel to start our day of people to people meetings. By 8 am, Old Havana had woken up and was starting to fill with life. I left with a smile across my face for my fortune of having the plaza all to myself that morning. I could not think of a better way to start my second full day in Cuba.

Stay tuned….I have much more Cuba left to share and I can hardly wait! 

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge Threshold.

59 thoughts on “Sunrise in Old Havana’s Plaza de la Catedral”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed!

      Reply ↓

  2. Pingback: Getting ready to pounce | The Bohemian Rock Star's "Untitled Project"

  3. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Thresholds | castelsarrasin

  4. Sreejith Nair – Kannur, Kerala – I am from the south indian state of kerala, and now living in Bangalore. My passion is travelling and photography.
    Sreejith Nair on said:

    Beautiful images 🙂 Looks like everything is frozen in time…

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes that is why I loved Havana so much. Everything is pretty much frozen in time. 🙂

      Reply ↓

  5. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold (I) | Eye Candy Visionz

  6. Sas – Cardiff, UK – I'm vegan. I love to travel. I challenge myself to visit at least one new place and try at least one new activity every year. When I'm not writing, I like to ski, rock climb, keep fit and bodyboard.
    Sas on said:

    You’re teaching me so much about Cuba Nicole, and making me really want to visit. I like to get up early and experience places before all the crowds too, it was the only way I could get a decent photo of the leaning tower in Pisa 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! So glad you are enjoying the posts Sas. Cuba truly is fascinating and I learned so much since I was on the people-to-people tour. Much more to come!

      Reply ↓
  7. Cris – I am a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography. I also spent four years as the Community (read, Assistant) Editor for a small-town daily newspaper in Iowa several years back. During this time, I won a first-place National Newspaper Association quarterly photography contest. I also won first and third place Iowa Newspaper Association photography awards. In <a href="http://thebiblicalapologist.wordpress.com/">The Biblical Apologist</a>, I search out interesting and un-traditional Biblical subjects to write about. In <a href="https://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/">f-stop fantasy</a>, I try and capture the mystery and fantasy in everyday objects and scenarios. In <a href="https://oddsandendthoughts.wordpress.com">Odds and End Thoughts</a>, I write about whatever comes to mind.
    Cris on said:

    Thanks for your trip around Old Havana. What a grand place it must have been in its heyday. However, it wasn’t so grand for all the slaves that worked the sugar fields that made these people rich enough to live in these opulent mansions you speak of. I’ll be looking forward to seeing more of your posts on Cuba, a most fascinating country.

    As for me, my take on the theme you were inspired by isn’t near so grand. However, I was out looking for photographs reflecting the Halloween theme last October and came across this interesting Threshold. You’re welcome to come and see what my take on this week’s theme is:
    http://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/weekly-photo-challenge-threshold-bittersweet-lodge/

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Cris! Yes the world was and continues to be a brutal unfair place. Much of the beauty of the world was built by slaves. It is tragic and yes Cuba’s past was one built on slaves that the Spanish brought in to work the sugar and tobacco plantations.I will hop over now and check out your post! Thanks for the comment and more to come on Cuba.

      Reply ↓
      • Cris – I am a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography. I also spent four years as the Community (read, Assistant) Editor for a small-town daily newspaper in Iowa several years back. During this time, I won a first-place National Newspaper Association quarterly photography contest. I also won first and third place Iowa Newspaper Association photography awards. In <a href="http://thebiblicalapologist.wordpress.com/">The Biblical Apologist</a>, I search out interesting and un-traditional Biblical subjects to write about. In <a href="https://fstopfantasy.wordpress.com/">f-stop fantasy</a>, I try and capture the mystery and fantasy in everyday objects and scenarios. In <a href="https://oddsandendthoughts.wordpress.com">Odds and End Thoughts</a>, I write about whatever comes to mind.
        Cris on said:

        🙂 I appreciate your comments.

  8. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold (Ducks) | What's (in) the picture?

  9. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge – Threshold – Down to the gardens |

  10. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold | Cari Aiken Art

  11. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold | A mom's blog

  12. You got some great unpeopled shots….my images from nearly a decade ago are quite populated…but it all looks so recognisable to me

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! That was the benefit of getting to Old Havana early. I read in my book that no one was there at sunrise and they were right! I was there other times and my photos aren’t as great! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply ↓
  13. Bob Ramsak – Nice, France – I'm a reporter, photographer and researcher driven by passions for travel, culture and justice. I've visited 62 countries and write something and make pictures every day.
    Bob R on said:

    Nice shots. I’m a little surprised to see the plazas so empty.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! The plaza was empty since it was 7 am. By 8 am it was slowly waking up and by mid-morning it was packed!

      Reply ↓

  14. It is always such a treat for me when I open your Weekly Photo Challenges. I’ve learned so much about the history of Cuba from you. Thanks, Nicole.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! So glad you enjoy the posts! 🙂 I love yours too! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  16. Pingback: Threshold | THE MARRIED MAN WHO LOVES HIS X

  17. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold (II) | Eye Candy Visionz

  18. Ody – I like discovering places by getting lost, and finding amazing things that are not written in guidebooks. I love to travel to cities during spring and summer, and to sea-side or warm places during fall and winter. I love museums, but only have the attention span for one exhibit per visit. Figuring out the public transportation system and the trying the local beer are always on my to-do list.
    Ody on said:

    this is great. I love the photo of the sunrise! so magical!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  19. Pingback: Threshold: Weekly Photo Challenge | 3 Grandchildren, 2 Grandparents, 2 Cats

  20. Great shots Nicole. We went there on a day trip from Varadero. We were lucky since the crowds were thin… but it is always much nicer when you have it to yourself 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the comment! It was great being there in the morning with no one and also seeing it in the afternoon when it was full of life. 🙂

      Reply ↓

  21. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold | never nothing going on

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks for the link! I like your post as well! Great pictures!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you!

      Reply ↓

  24. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge: Threshold | OH, THE THINGS WE SHALL SEE ~ Photo companion blog to TheSanctuaryofMyHeart.com

  25. Madhu – Madhu is an Interior designer turned travel blogger on a long sabbatical to explore the world. When not crafting stories on The Urge To Wander, she's probably Tweeting @theurgetowander or sharing special moments on instagram.com/theurgetowander
    Madhu on said:

    A wonderful gallery Nicole! Look forward to more.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Madhu!

      Reply ↓
  26. Cardinal Guzman – CardinalGuzman.wordpress.com | articles on the History of Tattoo and photo related posts (street photography, model photography, cityscapes, night shots etc).
    Cardinal Guzman on said:

    What a lovely place. Looks like it could be taken directly from one of Louis de Bernieres books 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  27. lulu – Houston, TX & Rockport, ME – I am a fiber artist with special emphasis on weaving, but I love working with threads and cloth in a variety of mediums. New ideas, new ways of connecting threads are the spice of life.
    lulu on said:

    I have so enjoyed your photos of Cuba and am amazed by how much that is similar caught our eye.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I can’t believe we captured a picture of the same two old ladies! Did you see it?

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks so much! I will check your blog out!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes now is the time to go to Cuba!

      Reply ↓

  30. So glad you got up early and got all of these amazing pictures! Being a native of Miami I always felt I got enough of a taste of Cuba living here, I would have never considered it as I place I would want to visit. However, your pictures show that it is rich in history and a place worth visiting and discovering. Thank you!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I bet Cuba is completely different and it would be definitely worthy of a trip. No place like it i’ve been to!

      Reply ↓

  31. What a wonderful way to start your day! That cathedral is spectacular. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks LuAnn!

      Reply ↓

  32. Pingback: Weekly Photo Challenge-Threshold | WoollyMuses

  33. Pingback: Before She Says I Do.. | indahs: travel story & photography

  34. Pingback: A Look inside Catedral de San Cristóbal in Old Havana | Thirdeyemom

  35. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Now this is a place I would dearly love to visit, Nicole. The decaying grandeur is so photogenic. 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes Cuba is fabulous! 🙂

      Reply ↓

  36. Loved your photos and commentary! Had the rare privilege of visiting Cuba last July and most of our time was spent in Havana. BTW, I have an original ink sketch that I purchased at the Taller Experimental Grafica that I remember was near the San Cristobal Cathedral. You have it featured in a couple of your photos. A lot of artists were creating beautiful Cuban art that could be purchased right there. The ink sketch is prominently featured on my stairway upstairs along with several other small Cuban paintings. For any of your viewers who decide to go to Havana this is a “must see” along with the Plaza de Cathedral.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you very much! That is wonderful that you have that piece of art. It is a wonderful reminder of your trip!

      Reply ↓

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.