Malecón, Coastal boulevard in Havana, Cuba.
Malecón is a coastal boulevard in Havana that stretches with a wide promenade and protective seawall set against Atlantic waves. The fortified esplanade follows the northern shore and provides areas for walking, sitting, and fishing.
Construction began in 1901 under US military oversight as a protective barrier against erosion and storm surge. Early sections introduced an engineering innovation for the time: reinforced concrete used for the first time in Havana.
The boulevard displays monuments honoring Cuban national figures such as General Máximo Gómez and Antonio Maceo, standing as gathering places where locals connect with their heritage. These memorials shape how residents and visitors experience the waterfront today.
You can reach this location from various points: from Old Havana, Centro Habana, or the Vedado neighborhood. Benches are available for resting, and sections invite you to linger and observe the water.
Each night, local fishermen gather at the seawall to catch fish for their families, creating a traditional evening scene that visitors often overlook. This daily activity shows how the place remains woven into ordinary life.
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