The Hotel Nacional de Cuba is considered a symbol of history, culture and Cuban identity. The guns that made up the old Santa Clara Battery are on exhibition in the garden.
"This impressive art deco building built in the 1930's was the centre for much of the gambling during Cuba's pre Castro days. Though I really only went in to use the hotel's postal service, I found it a real pleasure to rest for an hour away from the midday heat amongst such oppulent surroundings. Havana, which became the Cuban capital in 1552, was first settled by the Spanish in 1515. Despite the old central area being designated a UNESCO world heritage site much of the city looked in a pretty run down and in a dilapidated state, creating an air of general neglect. It was pleasing to see that at least a few of the more important buildings were being restored to their former glory." - MH
