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Old
Havana art temples’ triad
By: Claudia
Álvarez Delgado
Consulted Authors: Daniel Taboada,
Argel Calcines and Josefina Ortega
Photos: Rolando Pujol
Three old churches in the historical centre
host the most splendid concert halls of the capital city.
Coral and symphonic music, antique, lyric art and opera, are
housed in three beautiful temples in Old Havana, which also
offer space to other art avenues.

The first one to open as concert hall was the Basílica
Menor del Convento de San Francisco de Asís
church (Oficios and Amargura streets). Considered
as one of the most valuable samples of our XVIII century religious
architecture, it was originally made up of three bodies, with
a dome at its upper end and arched roof. The old church was
rescued from the ruins and turned into a magnificent art temple
to serve as coral and symphonic music scenario presided by an
ancient wooden carving of a crucified Christ.

Also of the XVIII Century and baroque style, the Iglesia
de San Francisco de Paula church (Avenida del Puerto),
stands today as a Cuban contemporary sacred art chapel and home
of the “Ars Longa” Group of Antique Music. Its mechanical
pipe organ was restored recently, being the only instrument
of its type to be kept in its original location: the high choir
of the old sanctuary.
The Oratorio de San Felipe Neri oratory (corners
of Aguiar and Obrapía) first opened its doors in the
XVII Century and after performing different religious activities,
it was adapted to host a bank in 1929. Its façade dates
from that time inspired in the Mexican baroque, even though
the structure of the church was preserved.
A short time ago the building was rehabilitated, now dedicated
to lyric art and opera, taking into account its excellent acoustics
and location in the historical centre.

This triad of temples hosts annually from January to the beginning
of February, the “Esteban Salas” International Festival
of Antique Music, that just celebrated its sixth edition this
year. At other times during the year the concert season occupies
the temples attended by its customary and faithful crowd of
antique music lovers, and of course you are always welcome.
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