University of Havana

Visit the distinguished Universidad de la Habana in Cuba’s Vedado neighbourhood

University of Havana
© Mari Thomassen

The Universidad de la Habana (University of Havana) was founded in 1728 in Old Havana. It is the oldest University in Cuba and one of the first established across the Americas. In 1902, the University found its home in the famous Vedado neighbourhood. The University’s structure is inspired by the neoclassical style of the Greek Parthenon. In 1978 this architectural beauty was declared a National Monument.

University
© Wagner T Cassimiro

One of the busiest places on campus is Plaza Ignacio Agramonte, which is also known as Plaza Cadenas. In this plaza, you can spot a military tank captured by the rebel army in 1959 among the greenery and student life. You can also visit the University’s main staircase, where night concerts are often held, to see the sculptural representation of the University's Alma Mater.

Some of the prestigious University alumni include Fidel Castro, Félix Varela and Enrique José Varona. In addition to their Alumni, the University of Havana has been host to the famous Juegos del Caribe (Caribbean Games) and is home to many important Cuban museums found right on campus.

You can find the Museo de Historia Natural Felipe Poey (Felipe Poey Museum of Natural History) in the Faculty of Biology. The faculty was founded by Cuban Scientist, Felipe Poey himself. Founded in 1874, his museum is the oldest museum in all of Cuba.

The Museo Antropológico Montané (Montané Anthropological Museum) can also be found on campus where you can walk through exhibits featuring pre-Colombian indigenous objects. Some of these objects date as far back as the 10th century.

And you can’t leave without visiting the emblematic Aula Magna and historic Monumento a Julio Antonio Mella (Julio Antonio Mella Monument). Every year students graduate from the University’s Aula Magna and, today, it has become a symbol of wisdom and knowledge for the entire country. The monument on campus dedicated to the founder of the first Cuban communist party, Julio Antonio Mella, is respected among students. In addition to the monument, you can find black and white portraits of the Cuban leader on display.

More information:

Location:

Calle L esq. con San Lázaro, Vedado, La Habana, Cuba.

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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"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.

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