Catedral de San Cristobal, or San Cristobal Cathedral, is one of eleven catholic cathedrals in Cuba.
Among all the magnificent buildings in Havana, this religious center is one of the most popular ones to visit, and I totally see why.
I love to visit this important and beautiful place every now and then during my five years of regularly traveling to Cuba and Havana.
The Havana Cathedral is one of the places where I always bring visitors to learn both about the history of the building and the unique Afro-Cuban Santeria religion that is worshipped side by side with Catholics inside this sacred building.
San Cristobal Cathedral In Havana
Old Havana, where you find this cathedral, is truly a maze of old, narrow, cobblestoned streets where it can be hard to find your way immediately.
I stayed in Havana for weeks before I finally stopped getting lost around here.
The cathedral is located between the streets of San Ignacio and Mercaderes in Old Havana in Plaza de la Catedral. This plaza used to be called Plaza de La Ciénaga, “swamp square” (as it was originally built on a swamp).
If you are going to find what you are looking for, you might have to pay a little extra attention when you are walking the narrow streets to notice everything, especially in the old city.
Depending on which direction you are going in, you can actually miss the Havana Cathedral or Catedral de San Cristobal – one of the most impressive landmarks of Cuba.
If you take a wrong turn on this narrow street, you might not find the entrance (and remember, you are probably offline and can’t just check with Google Maps).
The Havana Cathedral Is Built On A Swamp
The plaza first had its first name because it was built on what used to be an actual swamp, a “ciénaga.”
It was completed in the 18th century, sometime between 1748 and 1777, a period of over 30 years, and it is currently the seat of the roman catholic archdiocese of San Cristobal de la Habana.
The façade of Catedral San Cristobal is built in what is called baroque style. The large wooden doors leading into the interior of the cathedral have lots of elegant details and a powerful coral stone expression.
On the seaside side of the structure lies the Parque Luz Caballero, with a view over the bay of Havana.
You can also see the beautiful Fortaleza de San Carlos from this park right across the canal. (The Fortaleza is also a place you would want to visit while in Havana.)
Interior Makeover Of The San Cristobal Altars
A bishop named Espada, who was a fervent admirer of Neoclassicism, was in charge of remodeling the interior of the cathedral.
The original wood ceilings were plastered over during this process, and the cathedral on the inside today has been described by some as almost a little simple looking.
I am not sure I agree. I find the high ceilings, art, and artifacts quite beautiful, but you will just have to judge for yourself if you visit!
In the early 19th century, the baroque altars inside were also replaced, and in their place were fitted neoclassical-style ones.
Also, Christopher Columbus’s remains were actually kept here in the cathedral in the late 18th century!
Later, they were moved to the Seville cathedral. The remains of Columbus were returned to Spain in 1898 after the Spanish–American War and the Cuban War of Independence.
FAQ San Cristobal Havana Cathedral
How Much Does It Cost To Go To Havana Cathedral?
There is no fee to enter the San Cristobal Cathedral in Havana.
I do, however, recommend you get yourself a historical guide when you go there to learn about the intriguing history of both the building, but also the religions that live side by side in Cuba.
What Is The Most Famous Church In Cuba?
The Havana Cathedral, called the San Cristobal Cathedral, is the most famous church in Cuba.
How Old Is The Cathedral In Havana?
The San Cristobal Havana Cathedral was finished between 1748 and 1777.
How Old Is The Cathedral In Havana?
Officially, Christianity is the religion of Cuba, and Catholicism is the largest denomination.
However, the majority of Cubans are connected to the Afro-Cuban religion Santeria, a mix of Spanish-introduced Catholicism and the African Yoruba religion.
A part of the population is also non-religious.
Wrap-Up San Cristobal Cathedral Havana
San Cristobal is not only one of the oldest, most prominent architectural structures in Old Havana.
It is also situated in one of the city’s most beautiful parts, which has been restored building by building, street by street, over the last decades. Even if you have just one day in Havana, I recommend you pay a visit here while exploring the old city.
This cathedral holds so much history, both about the capital of Cuba and about the religious development and merger of two very different religions!
Whether you are religious, interested in history, or just like to explore new destinations, make sure you stop here and walk around and just take in the details from two continents and several centuries.
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