Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio

Habana Vieja


Originally constructed in 1695, this church was pounded by a ferocious hurricane in 1846, after which it was entirely rebuilt in neo-Gothic style. Among the notable historical and literary figures to have passed through its handsome doors are 19th-century Cuban novelist Cirilo Villaverde, who set the main scene of his novel Cecilia Valdés o la loma del ángel here. Other notables include Félix Varela and José Martí, who were baptized in the church in 1788 and 1853, respectively.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Habana Vieja attractions

1. Barbeparque

0.02 MILES

A project of Arte Corte inaugurated in December 2013 in collaboration with the Office of the City Historian, Barbeparque is a whimsical space that invites…

2. Plazuela de Santo Ángel

0.02 MILES

This lovely, intimate plaza behind the Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio has benefited from a recent beautification project that has installed several…

3. Museo de la Revolución

0.05 MILES

This emblematic museum is set in the former Presidential Palace, constructed between 1913 and 1920 and used by a string of Cuban presidents, culminating…

4. Arte Corte

0.14 MILES

The brainchild of Gilberto Valladares, aka 'Papito,' this novel hairdressing salon is also a school and a small museum to the barber's art. Even better,…

5. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

0.14 MILES

Spread over two campuses, the Bellas Artes is arguably the finest art gallery in the Caribbean. The Arte Cubano building contains the most comprehensive…

7. Palacio Velasco

0.15 MILES

Now the Spanish embassy, this beautiful wedding-cake-like building was constructed in the art nouveau style in 1912. It's the only embassy in this part of…

8. Escuela Nacional de Ballet

0.18 MILES

The neoclassical Escuela Nacional de Ballet, Alicia Alonso’s famous ballet school, overlooks the tree-lined Prado. The tickling of ivories and the tapping…

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