Plaza de San Francisco, A timeless fusion of history and vibrancy
Parque de las palomas, San Francisco Square, Old Havana, Havana Vieja, Havana, 100, Cuba
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Introduction
San Francisco Square is named after the nearby San Francisco de Asis Convent. It was built in the late 16th century and renovated in 1730. Originally used for commercial purposes, it had a surrounding wall. In 1836, the Lion Fountain was completed, adding life to the square. San Francisco Square is Havana's second largest square and has historical significance as the residence of the governor from 1763 to 1794.
The Lonja de Comercio building was built from 1907 to 1909 as Havana's stock exchange and later refurbished into Havana's most beautiful commercial office area, also the location of many consulates.
The Convento de San Francisco de Asis was once one of Havana's religious sites and was built from 1548 to 1591, taking more than 200 years to complete. At the time, it was a cemetery for Spanish colonial nobility and housed the bodies of the elite. The temple underwent centuries of changes and served as Cuba's Customs Archive, Post Office, and Ministry of Communications. After the victory of the Cuban Revolution, the government restored the original appearance of the convent and designated it as an important cultural relic. It is now used solely for visitors to explore and attend classical music concerts. Address Parque de las palomas, San Francisco Square, Old Havana, Havana Vieja, Havana, 100, Cuba
