Castillo de la Fuerza, constructed in 1638, is the second oldest
military structure in the New World. Its walls, up to six metres thick
and eleven metres tall, now house an armaments museum.
Mortars were part of Havana's defenses. By 1723 Havana's extensive military
and commercial wharves made it Spain's principle colonial port. With approximately
two million inhabitants, Havana remains Cuba's most important city.
Old cannon, adorned with the Spanish coat of arms are displayed
in the courtyard of the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales.
Located near the harbour, this was the seat
of Spanish governors of Cuba from 1791-1898.
A statue honours Christopher Columbus who
discovered Cuba on October 28, 1492.
In 1863, Havana's defensive walls were
torn down to allow for urban expansion.
The background design is from a photograph of the mail slot in the colonial
era building which housed the philatelic sales centre in the central plaza.
© Grose Educational Media, 2003