Old Havana Restoration Works Cause Amazement in FITCUBA 2011

The restoration works carried out in Old Havana amazed the participants in the 31st International Tourism Fair (FITCUBA 2011), underway at the Morro-Cabaña Fortresses.

The city historian, Eusebio Leal Spengler, offered a lecture on the restoration of the architectonic and cultural heritage of the city, works in which members of the community contributed as well.

Leal showed pictures of worn-out buildings that were turned into hotels, museums, cultural institutions, and health care and social centers, and talked about renovation works in houses, elderly homes, schools for children with disabilities, and technical schools were 600 youngsters learn the art of restoration.

The city historian mentioned the renovation of the former San Jose warehouses, which today exhibit pieces by Cuban craftsmen, and that of a railway that will offer tours though the Alameda de Paula. He also talked about la Casa de las Tejas Verdes (green tiles house) in Miramar, and the Napoleonic Museum, among others.

Leal noted that they also restored tourist centers that welcome people from all over the world like the Santa Isabel, Conde de Villanueva, Palacio O’Farril, Raquel, Los Frailes, Telegrafo, and Saratoga Hotels; as well as bars, restaurants and store chains in the city.

The city historian invited visitors to walk through Havana so as to actually get to know the city.