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Thursday, October 29, 2009

Capitol Of Havana A Most See Palace

Posted by patrick

By Regino Rodriguez

One of the most astonishing buildings in Havana is The Capitolio. Since it was built in the 1930's is has become jewel of the Cuban architecture and the pride of the locals and the joy of the tourists.

Few are those that know that in the land that today the Havanan Capitol is, a swamp existed, dredged and converted in the first botanical garden that had the capital at the end of the 19th century.

The development project of the Capitol did not begin until 1926 due to a great deal of political instability and complexity of the project it self. Once it started it only took 3 years to be finished into the same shape that visitors can admire today.

The imposing edifice opened its 20 feet doors to the public on Thursday May 20. Every government institution was invited to the unveiling ceremony including the President of the Republic of Cuba and other prestige politic personalities of those times.

The team that participated in the carrying out of the definitive plans of the Capitol was also integrated by engineers and Cuban architects under the artistic direction and technique of the architect Eugenio Raynieri Piedra. Its total cost was about 17 million pesos, equivalent to the same quantity in dollars.

To any pedestrian, the dome of the Capitol of Havana can easily draw his/her attention, fifth in the world of Renaissance style that, for its proportions and silhouettes, it remembers to San Pedro's Basilica, in Rome. The dome is the second higher point of the city, preceded by the Monument to Mart in the Revolution Square.

A striking aspect of this building is its faade of impressive neoclassic style, with 17 ionic columns of granite and in its three majestic mahogany access doors that lead to the core of the Capitol. All three doors are ornamented with impressions evoking happenings of the history of Cuba.

The Capitol of Havana counts over seven decades since its opening in 1926. The colossal construction is regarded as the third in relevance in Latin America for its monolithic structure and certainly first in Cuba.

From the Capitol of Havana -that is not national -, the kilometer 0 of all the highways of the country begins. It was designed so that in it the two chambers of the legislative body of the Republic worked all the sessions until 1959.

It also houses the 3rd biggest statue inside a building in the world and it represents The Republic of Cuba. Angelo Zanelli an Italian artist sculpted it inspired on a famous Cuban model. It was unveiled in 1929, in the Hall of the Lost Steps (Saln de los Pasos Perdidos).

Visiting the Capitol of Havana is just an amazing trip to the past. It was built to resemble the one in the United States, but in its rooms you will find a lot of history hidden behind its columns. Your vacation will be complete when you experience this visit. Do not miss the chance.

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