La Habana Vieja preserves plazas, fortifications, and layered architecture from Spanish colonial to Art Deco. A long‑running restoration program revitalized housing and landmarks under heritage steward Eusebio Leal, balancing tourism with residents’ needs. Conservation combats humidity, hurricanes, and material decay across a living historic center.
Five principal squares—Armas, Vieja, San Francisco, Catedral, and del Cristo—anchor a network of streets lined with arcades and balconies.
The Office of the Historian pioneered a self‑financing approach reinvesting tourism revenue into social programs and building repair.
Moisture, storm impacts, and aging utilities require phased interventions, from façade stabilization to adaptive reuse.
Museums, music, and waterfront promenades intertwine with everyday life—arrive early for cooler walks.
