Havana Cathedral 🇨🇺

You will find Havana Cathedral (Catedral de la Purísima Concepción de María) standing in Old Havana's Plaza de la Catedral on Calle Empedrado. Serving as the seat of the Archdiocese of San Cristóbal de la Habana, this rectangular Baroque church measures thirty by forty-nine meters and sits within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You should visit to experience a remarkable piece of history built by the Jesuits between 1748 and 1777 on the site of a drained swamp and former naval dockyard.

The cathedral even held the remains of Christopher Columbus from 1796 until 1898. As you examine the exterior, you can spot asymmetrical bell towers and fossilized marine fauna and flora embedded in the coral stone walls. Step inside the Latin cross interior to explore its central nave, two side aisles, and eight side chapels.

Look for significant artworks, including a 1632 sculpture of Saint Christopher by Martín de Andújar Cantos, copies of paintings by Rubens and Murillo, and three fading neoclassical frescoes above the altar painted by Italian artist Giuseppe Perovani. You can also view oil paintings by Jean Baptiste Vermay, 19th-century Roman sculptures, and the statue of Spanish bishop Apolinar Serrano.

What to see at Havana Cathedral

• Asymmetrical Baroque bell towers and coral stone walls with fossilized marine life
• Former holding site for the remains of Christopher Columbus from 1796 to 1898
• 1632 Saint Christopher sculpture crafted in Seville by Martín de Andújar Cantos
• Fading neoclassical altar frescoes painted by Italian artist Giuseppe Perovani
• Oil paintings by Jean Baptiste Vermay, founder of the San Alejandro Academy

Visiting tips

Examine the cathedral's exterior coral stone walls closely to spot embedded fossilized marine flora and fauna.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Havana Cathedral is easy to reach on Havana’s public transport. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Havana travel guide.