Mostly Empty, Plaza Vieja – Havana, Cuba

Plaza Vieja, located a half a block from the casa we stayed at, was laid out in 1559. It’s one of five historic plazas in Old Havana. The oldest is Plaza de Armas, founded in the 1520s. So much history and so close to the United States. Considering that the oldest permanent English settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, dates back to 1607, you get an idea of how historic the city of Havana is.

While this plaza is a significant cultural hub with cafes, art galleries, and microbreweries, it was comparatively quiet during our stay. I shot this after the rain ended, so the cafe was quiet. However, during my week-long visit, I never saw the area bustling with activity.

Architecturally, the plaza blends Cuban Baroque, Art Nouveau, and Neoclassical styles. It was a lovely spot, and the square’s design shows off its Spanish roots..

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