Cuba Fetes Havana”s 491st Anniversary

Cuba Fetes HavanaHavana, Nov. 17. -Cuba was celebrating the 491st anniversary of the founding of Havana on Tuesday, with the challenge of continuing to restore and preserve the city.

Spanish colonizers founded the villa on November 16, 1519 and named it San Cristobal de La Habana (Saint Christopher of Havana). Where the Templete (Shrine) now stands, the first public meeting and the first mass were held.

A number of places characterize the city and recall its history of five centuries, including the Tres Reyes del Morro Castle, the Castle of Real Fuerza, and the Havana Cathedral, among others.

Other details refer to history and tradition, such as the Giraldilla weathervane, which is the symbol of the city, and the Havana Malecon, the five-kilometer (three-mile) seawall and seaside highway.

Joint efforts by the Cuban government and the Havana City Historian�s Office has made it possible to restore old buildings and reduce the ravages of times.

However, experts and Havana residents say much work remains to be done for the preservation of the city and they highlight the political will of authorities in this task. (Prensa Latina)