Cementerio Colón, Havana

Discover this unique cemetery during your visit to Vedado in Havana, Cuba

Cementerio Colón, Havana
© Terry Feuerborn

You can find the Cementerio Colón (Columbus Cemetery), also known as the Necrópolis de Cristóbal Colón (Cristopher Columbus Necropolis), in the Vedado neighborhood at the center of Havana. It is one of the largest cemeteries in the Americas and one of the most famous in the world. The cemetery's overwhelming architectural and sculptural beauty has earned it the title of National Monument of Cuba.

Cementerio Colón
© Terry Feuerborn

The cemetery dates back to 1854, however, construction did not begin until 1871. Fifteen years later, in 1866, construction was finally completed.

You can find four entrances located at each cardinal point of the cemetery. The most impressive, Puerta del Triunfo (Triumph Entrance), the northern entrance. Its beautiful Neo-Byzantine style portico is breathtaking. And if you look closely enough, you can spot the Las Tres Virtudes (Three Virtues) sculpture, which represents faith, hope, and charity.

Once you step inside, notice the various architectural styles of the tombs. Some were made to resemble the colonial mansions of their owners, others are simple, and some are even associated with myths and legends of the city.

Estatua en el Cementerio Colón
© Kapa 123

Among the better-known mausoleums are El Panteón de los Bomberos (The Firefighters Pantheon), dedicated to the firefighters who died in an 1870 fire; the Tumba de la Primera Cubana divorciada (The Tomb of the first Cuban divorcée), whose husband wanted her tomb marked by two large palm trees in order to exceed the size of the Firefighters Pantheon; the sculpture known as the La Milagrosa (Miracle Sculpture), one of the tombs most visited by Cubans and tourists asking for miracles; and the Tumba del Perro (Dog’s Tomb), which honours a dog’s love for his owner.

You can also visit the remains of important writers, painters, and athletes such as Alejo Carpentier, winner of Cervantes Prize in 1977; Juan Chabás, a Spanish writer; Alberto Korda, photographer of the iconic Che Guevara image; and Dulce María Loynaz, winner of the Cervantes Prize in 1992.

Más información:

Location:

Calles Zapata, San Antonio Chiquito (Avenida Colón), Calle 17 y A.

Ticket price:

Free locals / Tourists 5 CUC.

Interactive map:

Havana:

Old Havana

Parque Histórico Militar Morro Cabaña

Centro Habana

Vedado

Miramar

What to see around Havana

Other nearby destinations:

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