The Belen Arch is the only arch in the city of Havana. It is actually several arches joined together to form a short tunnel and it is the first time I pass through it.
Many times I passed by it and did not even notice it. Other times I simply saw it from afar and it did not arouse my curiosity, but this time I stopped to appreciate its architecture and I invite you all to enjoy this short walk.
It is not the most symbolic place in the city, much less as famous as other arches in the world, but it is undoubtedly an important urban exponent of the Cuban colonial period that has survived to the present day.
At 662 Compostela Street in Old Havana stands the largest religious architectural complex in Havana, the Convent of Our Lady of Belen. A church, the convent and the beautiful vaulted arch that I present to you today make up the complex. The first stage of construction was completed in the early 18th century, but it was not until 1775 that the arch was built to communicate the convent with its adjoining facilities.
Underneath, Acosta Street crosses it. It is a pathway for passersby who are used to receive its shadow every day or for others like me, who do it for the first time and are fascinated by its simplicity and beauty.
It was not always as it is shown today. A period of neglect and oblivion almost caused its total loss. Its deterioration reached such a degree that it was propped up and closed for many years. Thanks to the restoration work of a great man, Dr.Eusebio Leal Spengler, historian of the city for many years, we can now enjoy this legacy of colonial architecture.
Two hundred and fifty years after its construction, The Belen Arch, still stands as a sign of strength and persistence in the face of the passage of time. May its beauty be appreciated by many for many years to come.