The Plaza de Armas (literally "Weapons Square") is Havana's oldest square. Most cities constructed by the Spanish Conquistadores were designed on a standard military fashion based on a grid pattern, taken from the Roman Castrum, of which one of the blocks would be left vacant to form the Plaza de Armas. It is often surrounded by governmental buildings, churches, and other structures of cultural or political significance. The name derives from the fact that this would be a refuge in case of an attack upon the city, from which arms would be supplied to the defenders.
This plaza is focus of much of the sreet life of the restored city. A second-hand book market sells revolutionary literature. The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (1780) is the finest example of Baroque architecture in Havana, home to the Spanish governor until independence, home to Cuban presidents until 1917, and finally the mayor's office. It now houses the City Museum.
On the NW side of square is the Palacio del Segundo Cabo, HQ of the Spanish vice-governor (photos). The Castillo de la Real Fuerza (1577) is the oldest building in Havana. Topping its tower is the bronze figure of La Giraldilla de la Habana, wife of conquistador Hernando de Soto, searching Florida for the fountain of youth. She spent 4 years in the tower watching for his return.
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| Book Museum Courtyard |
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| used book market |
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| Castillo de la Real Fuerza |
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| La Giraldilla de la Habana (bronze figure) |
This famous Tudor mansion is featured in Bainbridge Bunting's classic text Houses of Boston's Back Bay (p. 308). It was designed for William Lindsey at 225 Bay State Rd., by Chapman and Frazer in 1905. He was a prominent Boston businessman who made his fortune with a patented cartridge belt the British Army used during the Boer War. In 1926, Oakes Ames purchased the Castle from Lindsey's widow. He, University Trustee Dr. William E. Chenery and Chenery's wife donated the mansion to Boston University in 1939. From then until 1967, the Castle was used as the home of Boston University's presidents. The large lot allowed a projecting ell and a walled garden adjacent to the street.
