The Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje Church is a simple yet charming church. It is located in Plaza del Cristo Square, on the western side of Old Havana, away from the city center and tourist areas. The structure of the church is intriguing because of the simplicity of its towers and of its lateral façades, in complete harmony with the character of the works of the 17th century. The church was built in 1732 in the same place where previously there was a Franciscan shrine. Nowadays it has only partially been restored, with its beautiful stained glass windows and brightly colored ceiling being very noteworthy qualities. Inside the church, the image of Jesus on the Cross among travelers and sailors became very popular because it was thought to keep people from harm. On Good Fridays the processions left from the Convento de San Francisco de Asís and ended at the Iglesia del Cristo. The dimensions of the plaza were planned according to the processions that were to take place in it, marking the end of the fourteen crosses or Stations of the Cross. The Plaza del Cristo Square is an ideal place if you want to get far from touristy areas and to witness what real Cuban life is like.

The Santo Ángel Custodio Church was built in 1695, but wasn’t considered a church until 1788. It lies on one of the few and modest hills of the city, called Loma del Ángel. The original church was severely affected by the 1846 hurricane, its tower and the whole of the front and back of the nave were destroyed, so it was completely refurbished in the peculiar gothic style that can be seen today. Currently, the temple has two towers and an atrium where the church’s cemetery was formerly located. The entry doors are in the shape of pointed arches, and in its interior has three naves covered by barrel vault, as well as an ambulatory, the only church in Cuba to contain this feature. Félix Varela and José Martí were baptised in this church. It is also interesting to know that this temple is mentioned in Cecilia Valdés, a great 19th century Cuban novel by Cirilo Villaverde.

The Museo Casa Natal de José Martí (Birthplace Museum) is the house in which José Martí was born, a 19th century politician, intellectual and national hero of the Republic of Cuba. This humble two-floor house was converted into a museum in 1925 and declared a National Monument in 1949. It exhibits personal objects of José Martí, whose spirit is felt in every corner of the restored house. It was built at the beginning of the 19th century, rather close to the city walls, and has typical features of many houses in the area: a tiled roof and mortar walls.  The house was restored and its collection enriched in a community process in 1959. It is interesting to know that this museum contains the only known Oil Portrait of José Martí.

La Bodeguita del Medio is a must-visit, typical restaurant of Havana, and one of the most attractive tourist spots. Old Havana has been frequented by countless visitors, from well-known writers like Ernest Hemingway to important politicians. Its interior offers a typical Cuban atmosphere, as well as excellent music, Creole cuisine (slow-roasted pork, ropa vieja, black beans, yucca with mojo, tostones, arroz morro, etc) and a fantastic typical drink like the mojito. Following the initiative of Leandro García, a journalist who signed the restaurant’s wall, all famous people who visit the place do the same. They leave a memento there in the form of a print, a picture, an object, or some graffiti; it is even possible to find the signatures of some historical figures, like Salvador Allende, Ernest Hemingway, or Pablo Neruda. You can’t miss your chance to visit this place on your way through Habana Vieja. If you don’t book a table in advance you won’t probably have another chance to get one, but you will for sure enjoy an incredible atmosphere surrounded by Cuban history.