Friday, 04 February 2011 11:56
Havana´s Capitolio
Situated in the center of Havana, between Prado, Dragones, Industria and San José streets, stands the monumental Havana National Capitol. Inspired by the classic Roman Capitol, this building was constructed under architect Eugenio Raynieri Piedra´s direction, during the Gerardo Machado government, and was inaugurated on 20 May, 1929.
At that time, the property was meant to house and host the Republic´s legislative body. It currently houses the Ministery of Science, Techonology and Environment and Cuba´s Sciences Academy.
Like a museum, this colossus is open to the public and attracts millions of people from around the world, as it is considered Cuba´s most complex construction.
The main entrance, of magnificent dimensions, is supported by 12 granite Ionic columns set against a monumental 55-step stairway.
There are two bronze masterpieces made by Italian artist Angelo Zanelli on each side of the grand stairway: La Virtud Tutelar del Pueblo (The Gaurdian of the people of virtue) and El Trabajo (Work), both seven meters high and weighing 15 tons.
The room of lost steps
The dome, 32-meters in diameter, was once the fifth highest in the world. Underneath stands the Republic´s imposing sculpture, also created by Zanelli, that is 15 meters in height and weighs 30 tons. It was inspired by a Havanian model and was the world´s second largest sculpture until it was placed underneath the dome.
Aside from the structure itself, its interiors are luxurious and ostentatious. The immense variety and richness of materials used in its construction is extraordinary; and the exhausting finishes to each detail within its halls, such as marble floors and sculptures, mahogany doors, windows, podiums and shelves, the lighting, wall paintings, the decorations and framing of the false ceilings and walls, among many other pulent details, dazzle all who cross its threshold.
Originally, a 25-carat diamond was placed under the Capitol dome, where there is now an exact replica. For safety measures, having suffered a robbery in 1946, they decided to store the real beauty in one of the vaults at Cuba´s Central Bank. Besides its value as a jewel, the diamond has symbolic value, as it marks the zero point from where the Cuban road network began its construction.
An entire day would not be enough to enjoy this mausoleum, so impressive and moving. But the best memory that one can take home is posing in front of it´s incredible chambers, to conserve many years´ imprint. A snapshot by one of the National Capitol´s relics is a tangible and charming memory, proof that you once set foot in one of Cuba´s most magnificent and engaging buildings.
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