Plaza Vieja, Colonial square in Old Havana, Cuba.
Plaza Vieja is a square at the heart of Old Havana featuring buildings in Cuban baroque style painted in various colors and arranged around an open central area. Fountains and colonnades define the space, with restaurants, cafes, and art galleries lining its edges.
The square was founded in 1559 as Plaza Nueva and evolved from a military training ground into a public marketplace for residents. Over centuries, it underwent changes and redesigns until it took on its present form with distinctive structures.
The square functions today as a gathering spot where locals and visitors share meals and explore art galleries along its edges. The museums scattered around tell stories about Cuban life and heritage that shape how people engage with the space.
The square is easy to walk through with all key areas close together, making it simple to see everything in one visit. There are plenty of outdoor seating areas and indoor spaces in the establishments around it where you can rest while exploring.
A tower on the square houses a Camera Obscura that displays the entire old neighborhood through a periscope system from above. This optical device offers an unusual view of the rooftops and alleyways that you would never see from ground level.
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