Poetic Documentary and Dirty Realism: Colonial open air museum of Havana, Cuba

[phil marion]

Havana is one of the oldest cities in the New World. It was “founded” by Spanish colonialists in 1514 as San Cristóbal de la Habana. In Havana Vieja, the ancient part of the city, stands some of the most stunning Spanish colonial architecture in the world. Old Havana, in its entirety, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. The rest of the city expanded out from the Old Town and different periods brought different styles of architecture, from colonial to eclectic, art deco to rationalist. Now, there are over 2 million inhabitants in the capitol city. It is the cultural, political and economic hub of the island. Few cities in the world surpass Havana’s charm and romantic beauty. As well as its distinguished architecture, Havana has numerous attractions, a plethora of interesting museums, white sand beaches and superb recreation areas, and a swinging nightlife.


courtyard of old mall - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Sitting on the steps of El Capitilio - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


balcony life - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


1959 Buick flat top (apparently Batman retired to Havana, Cuba) by Phil Marion, on Flickr


dome of the Capitolio - Havana by Phil Marion, on Flickr


The Grand Opera House - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


is it too early to go out? - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Cigar chomping resident of Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr

[SignalHillHiker]

Gggaaahhhhhh... more!

[the urban politician]

Damn, I want more too!

I never understood the old car thing in Cuba. Can't they buy modern cars from other countries?

[mrnyc]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Damn, I want more too!

I never understood the old car thing in Cuba. Can't they buy modern cars from other countries?

yes, but it takes $ to do that and of course nobody has any of that, except the dictatorship and their cronies. otoh they can't sell off the old classic cars. they cant be taken out of the country, it's forbidden. those cars are thought of as a legacy. they saw what happened in montevideo, which also had a lot of old automobiles, but where all of them were sold off and taken away.

however, as i think you can see the old cars are very well taken car of. as well as is possible that is. there are new cars on the road too tho. here and there. and brand new havana articulated busses. again, here and there, it's mostly old busses or trucks. overall, the roads are generally pretty empty. umm, so i was told.

[Danny]

Awesome! Great eye and great shots. First photo and its composition is simply beautiful.

Congrats and greetings from Madrid, Spain.

[LSyd]

interesting. time for the old regime to go and drop the sanctions.

-

[ColDayMan]

More please!!!

[Jaborandi]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Damn, I want more too!

I never understood the old car thing in Cuba. Can't they buy modern cars from other countries?

They all seem to have Lada engines

[Nightsky]

Nice pictures! I think they have both American and Russian cars in Cuba.

[Yorkie]

The country where time has stopped......but life goes on..

[i_am_hydrogen]

Excellent shots!

[Architype]

Brilliant shots!

[phil marion]

Coco-Taxi - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Fidel's 1950 Chevrolet? - Havana, Cuba (it WAS parked outside the Museo de la Revolution) by Phil Marion, on Flickr


fishing on the malecon - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


red Lada - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Bar Lafayette - Havana by Phil Marion, on Flickr


capitalism meets communism - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana dawn by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Cuban with a big fat Cuban by Phil Marion, on Flickr


having a look-see - Old Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana smile by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr

[SignalHillHiker]

Just beautiful! We still need more, though.

[Jaborandi]

Excellent photos of a fantastic city! When I was last there in February, I spent a day exploring the amazing Avenida Maximo Gomez in Centro Habana. A formerly glorious arcaded commercial street, it is run down, shabby, noisy and teeming with life and activity. I hope you get a chance to check it out.

[Buckeye Native 001]

Holy hell these are incredible

[phil marion]

Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Old Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Click on any of my photos to view a larger version


fun times on the streets of Old Havana by Phil Marion, on Flickr


friendly people on the streets of Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Click on any of my photos to view a larger version


decaying Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr
Click on any of my photos to view a larger version

[Yorkie]

..After seeing that I need a Big fat Cuban.................cigar........

[peanut gallery]

Beautiful shots. Please keep them coming!

[phil marion]

At the cinema wicket - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


El Capitolio - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


playing amongst the colonial architecture and old railcar wheels - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr


recycling - Havana, Cuba by Phil Marion, on Flickr