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The Capitol (Havana)

The Capitolio (National Capitol) is an imposing building built in 1929.

It became one of the symbols of Cuba, and at the time of President Fulgencio Batista it was the official seat of the Cuban House of Representatives and Senate.

After the Cuban revolution of 1959 it became the seat of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.

The Capitolio Nacional is the most imposing structure in the city, resembling the Capitol of the American capital in appearance, but its 62-metre-high stone dome slightly surpasses that of the Washington building.

Public visits are always guided and organised in groups of 15 people, who can access the facility at five different times from Tuesday to Saturday.

The majesty of the Hall of Lost Steps stands out in the Capitol, with its 120 metres in length, the enormous dome and the sculpture La República, 15 metres high and considered the third largest among those under cover in the world.

Other important halls are the Yara, where wonderful pieces of the original tableware and sculptures by the Italian artist Angelo Zanelli are preserved, as well as the José Martí library.

In the crypt you can see the flags of some nations of the American continent, the sculpture of La Patria, the score of the Bayamo anthem and the nation's coat of arms.

The Capitolio is located in the heart of Old Havana and is surrounded by splendid buildings such as the Gran Teatro, the Hotel Inglaterra, which is a splendid building dating back to the 1930s, and the Prado street that leads to the seafront.