Palacio de los Capitanes Generales 🇨🇺

Located on the eastern side of the Plaza de Armas in Old Havana, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales stands as Havana's most notable Colonial Baroque building and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally built between 1776 and 1792 as the official residence for Spanish colonial governors, this historic site later served as a prison, city hall, and even a presidential palace. Today, you can explore the Museum of the City of Havana within its thick-walled, square structure.

As you walk up to the palace, you will admire its limestone façade, complete with embedded marine fossils, small balconies, and a striking ground-floor arcade set over a china pelona pavement. Inside, an open, leafy central courtyard leads to galleries filled with preserved rooms, artwork, and historical artifacts. On the lower levels, you will discover remarkable exhibits, including "La Giradilla" statue, Cuba's oldest colonial monument known as the Cenotaph, original nautilus-shaped stone baths, and a 19th-century London-manufactured fire engine.

Upstairs, preserved rooms display original furniture, along with national independence relics like the flag of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes in the Hall of Heroic Cuba.

What to see at Palacio de los Capitanes Generales

• Cuban Baroque facade made of local limestone with embedded marine fossils
• The famous La Giradilla statue standing at the foot of the mezzanine stairs
• The Cenotaph, recognized as the oldest colonial monument in Cuba
• Preserved governor rooms featuring original period furniture and decorations
• The Hall of Heroic Cuba displaying national independence flags and historical relics

Visiting tips

Look closely at the exterior limestone walls to spot ancient marine fossils embedded directly in the stone facade.

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

How to get there & what’s nearby

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is easy to reach on Havana’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Havana Cathedral and Museum of the Revolution. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Havana travel guide.