Gran Teatro de La Habana, Opera house and theater in Central Havana, Cuba
The Gran Teatro de La Habana is a theater and opera house in central Havana that brings together multiple performance venues under one roof. Its Art Nouveau facade extends across a full city block on Paseo del Prado, with tall arches and decorated balconies on each floor.
Paul Belau designed the building in 1914 for a Galician community, incorporating parts of an older theater from the mid-1800s. Construction followed a wave of European immigration to Cuba, when prosperous colonial associations established their own cultural meeting points.
The building has carried its name since the 1960s, when it became a center for classical ballet and opera. Local dancers train here daily in the upper floors, while visitors often hear rehearsals through open doors.
The entrance sits directly on Paseo del Prado, across from Parque Central, making it easy to reach on foot. Tours take place during daytime hours when rehearsals are not running, and evening performances typically start after sunset.
Marble sculptures by Giuseppe Moretti and Geneva Mercer adorn the corner towers of the roof, depicting allegorical figures. These statues were carved from Carrara marble and show human forms with raised hands, gazing over the city.
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