Cathedral Square

Probably the most symmetrical of Havana’s four colonial squares, Cathedral Square is the heart of the historic district. Dating back to the early 1700s, it played a key role in reviving the area. Back then, the ground here was muddy and swampy — a far cry from the welcoming plaza you see today, where both tourists and locals relax with a drink on the charming café terraces. In those days, an open canal called the Zanja Real ran right through this spot, supplying water to the city. That’s how the area earned its old nickname, La Ciénaga — “The Swamp” — a name you might still hear today. As more buildings sprang up around the square, the land was drained, and Cathedral Square took shape, named after the majestic church that watches over it. Look around and you’ll see beautiful examples of colonial architecture: the Palace of the Counts of Bayona, the House of Lombillo, and the Palace of the Marquises of Aguas Claras. Their baroque façades perfectly capture the spirit of 19th-century Havana. It’s like an open-air museum — breathtaking by day, and even more magical by night.