Santo Ángel Custodio Church, Havana

Visit the striking Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio (Church of the Holy Guardian Angel) in Old Havana, Cuba

Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio, La Habana

Santo Ángel Custodio Church, Havana
© Jose Braulio Monteagudo

On Calle Compostela (Compostela Street) in Old Havana, visitors can find a unique pastel yellow church that rises above its neighbouring buildings. It is the Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio (Church of the Holy Guardian Angel). And although the church is not in its original state, it is a great spot for visitors to admire the city’s history and architecture.

Before a church was constructed, bohíos (houses built out of branches) stood on the same site. They were used for rites and other religious activities. All but one of the bohíos were demolished. The standing bohío was saved for a mass led by Bishop Compostela. Slowly, the bohío was extended to become the large church it is today.

The church was erected in 1604. However, it was not consecrated as the Santo Ángel Custodio (Holy Guardian Angel) until 1690. After a hurricane ruined the church in 1846, it was reconstructed.

The black and white marble floors of the church and oil paintings kept in the altars are capturing. Important figures like Félix Varela and José Martí, were baptized inside the same church. Other renowned literary figures including Cirilo Villaverde, in his novel Cecilia Valdés, even describe the Iglesia del Santo Ángel Custodio in their works.

More Information:

Location:

Calle Compostela, La Habana Vieja, Cuba.

Opening Times:

Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday during the 7:15am mass. Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday during the 6:00 pm mass.

Interactive map:

Havana:

Old Havana

Parque Histórico Militar Morro Cabaña

Centro Habana

Vedado

Miramar

What to see around Havana

Other nearby destinations:

Why "Cuban Travel Agency"?

"Cuban Travel Agency" is part of the Visitar Cuba project, an organization of Cuban agencies whose objectives are:

✓ Disseminate Cuba, its culture and its heritage.
✓ Promote sustainable tourism.
✓ Support the local economy, prioritizing direct contact with Cuban agencies.
✓ Offer budgets without commitment and without cost, from the hand of Cuban experts.

Ask for your estimate

Travel agencies and Tour Operators

If you are an agency or tour operator and you are looking for help to create trips to Cuba, trust our expert hands, we offer special prices.

Special prices for Travel Agencies and Tour Operators