Callejón de Hamel, Open-air art gallery in Cayo Hueso, Cuba
Callejón de Hamel is an open-air art gallery stretching across two blocks in the Cayo Hueso neighborhood of Havana, completely covered in vibrant murals and painted surfaces. The installations incorporate recycled materials like old bathtubs and hand pumps that have been transformed into sculptural elements and decorative features.
Artist Salvador González Escalona began transforming this narrow street in 1990, creating artworks that honor Afro-Cuban traditions and artistic heritage. His initial vision has grown into a sustained creative project that continues to shape the alley's character and community presence.
This space serves as a gathering place for Afro-Cuban artistic expression, where local musicians and performers share their cultural traditions throughout the alley. Visitors can experience the living heritage that shapes the neighborhood's identity and daily creative life.
The alley sits between Aramburu and Hospital streets in central Havana's historic area and is easily accessible on foot from major landmarks. Plan time to walk the entire length of both blocks to see all the artworks and installations throughout the space.
Every Sunday at noon, rumba dancers and drummers gather spontaneously to perform their music and movements in the alley, creating performances that feel organic to the space rather than staged. This genuine cultural expression often surprises visitors who discover it by chance during their walk.
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