Basilica of San Francisco de Asís, Havana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís |
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The basilica in 2016
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| General information | |
| Status | Active |
| Type | Catholic church |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Town or city | Havana |
| Country | Cuba |
| Coordinates | 23°08′13″N 82°20′54″W / 23.13694°N 82.34833°W |
| Height | 42 metres (138 ft) |
The Basílica Menor of San Francisco de Asís is a beautiful old Catholic church in Old Havana, Cuba. It's also known as the Convento de San Francisco de Asis. This important building is a minor basilica and was once a Franciscan convent.
Construction started way back in 1548. It was first opened in 1575, but storms caused a lot of damage in the late 1600s. A big hurricane even broke its tower in 1694. The church you see today began to take shape in 1716 and was fully finished almost 200 years later.
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Discover the Public Square
The Basílica Menor of San Francisco de Asís stands next to a famous spot called the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís. This public square in Old Havana is one of the oldest in the city, first opened on June 2, 1628. It got its name from the nearby Franciscan convent, which was built between 1575 and 1591.
A beautiful fountain called the Fuente de los Leones (Fountain of the Lions) was added to the square in 1836. It was created by an Italian artist named Giuseppe Gaggini. In 1761, the Mayor of Havana, José Martín Félix de Arrate, thought this was the best square in the city. Back then, the city hall, police station, jail, and customs office all faced this plaza.
Painting of the Basilica
An artist named Dominic Serres painted the Basilica of San Francisco de Asís in 1770. This painting was part of a series about the capture of Havana by the British. This happened during the Seven Years' War (1756–1763). Great Britain attacked Spain's overseas lands, including Havana.
The painting shows the amazing Baroque style of the church. Even though it's called "The Cathedral at Havana," it was actually a monastic church. Serres included interesting details in his painting. You can see British soldiers in red coats exercising in the square. There's also a guard, Spanish Catholic priests, and boys playing. In the harbor, British warships are anchored.
British Occupation of Havana
The basilica was used by the British for their church services for about a year. This was during the Siege of Havana in 1762. British forces captured the city, which was an important Spanish naval base. This was a big blow to the Spanish Navy.
Havana was later given back to Spain in 1763, as part of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty officially ended the war. When the church returned to Spanish control, it was no longer used for religious services. Today, it is a popular place for concerts.
The basilica has a tall bell tower, which is about 138 feet high. Long ago, a statue of St. Francis of Assisi stood on top of the tower. But a cyclone destroyed it in 1846. Now, a statue of Fray Junípero Serra with a Juaneño Indian boy stands near the basilica.
Architecture of the Basilica
The Basílica Menor of San Francisco de Asís is known for its beautiful design.
The Facade
The front of the church, called the facade, faces Calle Oficios. It features three stone statues. These statues represent the Immaculate Conception, Francis of Assisi, and Saint Dominic. The church became a minor basilica in 1739. The entire area, including the church and the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
The Cloister
Next to the basilica is a cloister, which is a covered walkway in a monastery. This part of the building dates back to 1739. Today, the cloister is home to a museum of sacred art.
In front of the basilica, on the sidewalk, there is a bronze statue. It's a life-size statue of José María López Lledín, who was known as El Caballero de Paris (The Gentleman of Paris). He lived from 1899 to 1985 and is actually buried inside the basilica.
See also
- List of buildings in Havana
In Spanish: Convento de San Francisco de Asís (La Habana) para niños
