Greetings to the whole community.
In today's post I will write something different from what I usually do. This time, I am not going to talk about a specific place. Today I am going to tell you about the details that I like the most of those that make up the identity and architectural style of Havana and are the ones that I enjoy every time I walk through its streets.
In a previous post in this community, I mentioned how architecture adapts to the climate of a place. In the case of colonial Havana, you can see many buildings designed and built to better withstand our tropical climate.
One feature that always strikes me is the variety of colours on the facades of the houses, blues, greens, yellows... According to what I have read, this choice of colours is intended to reflect the glare of sunlight and keep the houses cool. Cuba is a very hot country and the intelligent use of colours in this aspect seems to me a great idea 💡. Colours have the ability to reflect or absorb sunlight, and this is effectively exploited in Havana. The result of this colourful mix is a beautiful and cheerful contrast that is very nice to look at.
Another common element that colonial houses have in common to make them cooler on the inside are the tall struts and wide doors and windows. I imagine these houses must have been very bright, they still are, with lots of natural light and good ventilation. I imagine them as cosy places, where the golden light of morning and evening comes in.
And speaking of common characteristics, I cannot fail to mention the arcades. These arches, I believe, are a product of the Spanish influence on Cuban architecture. It is really harmonious and elegant to see the buildings and houses with these series of arches.
If I mention the arches, I also have to mention the columns. Many of them are found supporting the roofs of the portals. Havana's houses are close-knit, and many have thick columns under the roofs that protect walkers from the sun. Here you can walk under the shade of the portals, which protect you from the strong island sun. Because of this feature the city was named by the writer Alejo Carpentier as the “City of Columns”.
One thing that transports us through all these buildings and houses around the historic centre of the city are its streets, each with its own history and peculiar names. The avenues in the colonial part of the city are narrow and cobbled. We can walk freely along them, as vehicles are not allowed to drive on them in order to take care of the cobblestones. So we, the passers-by, are the masters of these avenues that transport us through centuries of history.
In these streets we also find many old horse-drawn carriages, something that visitors from other countries like very much.
In this beautiful city there is also room for the modern and you can see many buildings, especially hotels, of recent construction, which blend in very well with the surroundings and the classic atmosphere of Old Havana. Here I show you some pictures.
I am sure that a person with more knowledge of architecture could write much more about architectural styles and details. I just tell you what I like the most of everything I have seen while walking around Havana. I hope you enjoyed the tour.
Until next time!👋
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