Church of San Francisco de Paula, Havana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula, Havana |
|
|---|---|
Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula and Hospital, 1905
|
|
| General information | |
| Type | Religious |
| Architectural style | Baroque |
| Address | 110 Leonor Pérez |
| Town or city | Havana |
| Country | Cuba |
| Coordinates | 23°07′52″N 82°20′56″W / 23.131014°N 82.348772°W |
| Groundbreaking | 1664 |
| Construction started | 1731 |
| Renovated | 1760 |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Load bearing |
| Material | Masonry |
The Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula is a beautiful old church in Havana, Cuba. It's located near the bay in the old part of the city, called Havana Vieja. This church is an important part of Havana's history and religious buildings. You can find it at 110 Calle Leonor Pérez, right on the corner of Calle San Ignacio.
Contents
History of the Church and Hospital
The story of this church began in the late 1600s. A hospital for women and a church dedicated to Saint Francis of Paola were planned. The first stone was laid around that time.
The buildings were made bigger in 1731. The city council and leaders of the island helped with money and support. By 1776, the hospital was very important in Havana. Many famous doctors learned and worked there over the years.
About the Building
The original idea for the hospital and church came from don Nicolás Estévez Borges. He was a priest at the Havana Cathedral. In 1664, he ordered the construction of a hospital for women. Next to it, he wanted a church for Francis of Paola. Saint Francis of Paola was a very humble hermit known for his miracles. He also started a religious group called the Minims.
Sadly, a big hurricane completely destroyed both buildings in 1730. But they were rebuilt and made even larger. This happened in 1745, and they were designed in the beautiful Baroque style you see today. This new complex became known as the Royal Hospital of Havana and the Church of San Francisco de Paula.
Becoming a National Monument
In 1907, a U.S. company called Havana Central Railroad wanted to buy the church. They even tried to tear it down for their own use. But two important people, historian Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring and anthropologist don Fernando Ortiz, fought against it.
Their efforts stopped the church from being destroyed. Because of them, the church was officially named a National Monument in 1944. However, the Havana Central Railroad was still allowed to tear down the hospital building.
The church is a great example of the Baroque style from before the Churrigueresque period. Its floor plan is similar to the Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís. Both churches are shaped like a Latin cross. The front of the church has a central arched doorway. Columns stand on the sides, which is common for Spanish churches. There's also a bell tower at the front. But the three bells were lost in the 1730 hurricane and were never found. The Office of the City Historian has worked to restore the church's beautiful stained glass windows.
Restoration Work
The Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula is a key example of Cuban Baroque architecture from the early 1700s. Parts of the church that still exist have been carefully restored. This includes the octagonal base of the dome, the main front of the building, and the colorful stained glass windows. All these parts are from the original building built in 1745.
The front of the church looks similar to the Santo Domingo church in Guanabacoa [1] and the San Francisco de Asís convent. These were built around the same time.
Inside, the main part of the church has a rounded ceiling called a barrel vault. A dome is located where the main aisle crosses another section. Instead of a traditional altarpiece, there is a large stained glass window. The church also has the only organ in Cuba that still has its original pipes and machinery in its original spot. The ashes of Claudio Brindis de Salas Garrido are kept here. He was a Cuban violinist, considered one of the best of his time.
La Alameda de Paula Promenade
The Alameda de Paula was the very first public walkway in Cuba. It was designed in 1776 by Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar. This was done under the orders of Laureano de Torres y Ayala. The promenade was built on what used to be a trash dump.
It was a raised area with two rows of poplar trees and some benches. It quickly became a very important place for people in Havana to gather and enjoy themselves. It even inspired the design of the Paseo del Prado, which was built later in 1925. The promenade got its name, Alameda de Paula, because it was so close to the old Hospital and Iglesia of San Francisco de Paula.
Between 1803 and 1805, the walkway was improved. Tiles were added to the ground, along with a fountain, stone benches, lampposts, and a marble column. It became a pleasant place for the people of Villa de San Cristóbal to relax. In 1841, the steps leading to the promenade were made wider, and more lampposts were added. In the year 2000, the Havana promenade was restored and made longer. It now reaches all the way to the Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula.
The Coliseo of Havana
The Coliseo was the first building in Havana built specifically for theater shows. It opened its doors on January 20, 1775. It was located in Old Havana, across from the Alameda de Paula. The theater was built between 1773 and 1775.
The idea for the theater came from the Marquis de la Torre. On July 2, 1773, he brought together important merchants and city leaders. Their goal was to raise money to build the theater. Soon after, construction began on the building, which was made of stone and wood. The Havana architect Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar led the work. In 1775, it was announced that plays would begin in the new Coliseo.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula (La Habana) para niños
- List of buildings in Havana
- La Alameda de Paula, Havana
- Paseo del Prado, Havana
- Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís
- Cecilia Valdés
