Review (PDF)
La Habana: Historia Y Arquitectura De Una Ciudad Romántica (Spanish Edition)

Cuba is both an essential part of the history of the Western hemisphere since 1492 and an island with a past and traditions entirely its own. Havana, its legendary capital, bears the traces of every stage of its history. In this volume, author Maria Luisa Lobo Montalvo presents the architecture and history of Havana—part of which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site—in an accessible and engaging text and specially commissioned color photographs. Discussion of each phase of the city's development are accompanied by detailed case studies of the period's most significant buildings, which include the architectural history and heritage of each structure as well as comprehensive new and archival documentation, including photographs, prints, paintings, and historical artifacts. Throughout her presentation of the buildings, Lobo discusses the unique expression of design and decorative elements, customs and traditions that characterize the architecture of Havana. The oldest extant structures in the city are the great forts and fortifications, such as Castillo del Morro and Castillo de la Punta. A great number of houses, from all periods of Havana's history and in all styles, simultaneously offer architectural and cultural history. Finally the great churches and convents—the Church of La Merced and the great baroque Havana Cathedral—and institutional structures—the magnificent Palace of the Captains General—show the public face of Havana, in which every neighborhood and every building proudly proclaims its individual origin.

Hardcover: 320 pages

Publisher: The Monacelli Press; 1St Edition edition (June 9, 2009)

Language: Spanish

ISBN-10: 1580932398

ISBN-13: 978-1580932394

Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 1.1 x 12.4 inches

Shipping Weight: 5.1 pounds

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #843,723 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #35 in Books > Libros en español > Arte, arquitectura y fotografía > Fotografía #35 in Books > Libros en español > Arte, arquitectura y fotografía > Arquitectura #262 in Books > History > Americas > Caribbean & West Indies > Cuba

This book brought back memories...many. The history is well researched, especially the old buildings in La Habana Vieja. But, it does give the impression that the Cuba of old was only made up of very wealthy classes. I would have liked to see examples of more modest structures, that, nevertheless, still showed a true Cuban taste.

Excellent book, both in English and Spanish. Excellent writing of an era gone forever from our once beautifulcountry. She brings back memories of our youth in a free country that was Cuba. The photographs of thenow restored houses are breathtaking. Many of these homes and buildings have been restored to their grandeurwith the help of many dedicated Cubans and with funds from the UNESCO. Great Book!

A great book, highly recommended. It's great not only because of its pretty pictures but also for its interesting (and lovely) approach to the city. It's an architectural tour through Havana City which ends up being a tour through its history.Mine is a gift from a friend. This I bought as a gift for another friend with the intention of inviting her to give it as a gift to another friend, turning the purchase of this book into a beautiful tradition between my friends.If I could give one book to everyone of my friends, this would be one of them :-)

A very impressive pictorial review of Habana... a hidden treasure lost in time right in our back yard. The pictures are numerous and remarkable. It is an accurate representation of the grandeur of this historic city. The book covers the many monumental buildings in the city and focuses even in the smallest decorative details. It's the second best thing to a visit to this imposing city.

This is a gorgeous book that captures a lost Cuba. Written in Spanish, so be warned. Absolutely glorious & well worth buying. I bought it for a friend who is a Cuban refugee & he adored it.

La Habana: Historia y Arquitectura de una Ciudad Romántica (Spanish Edition) Amor Inesperado con Millonarios: Tres Novelas Románticas con Erótica, Segundas Oportunidades y Padres Solteros (Novela Romántica y Erótica en Español: Colecciones) (Spanish Edition) Incertidumbre en la Habana: Mis experiencias durante la crisis de la Embajada del Peru en la Habana. Acto de Repudio sin precedentes 1980 (Spanish Edition) Torneo Internacional de Ajedrez, celebrado en La Habana de 1913: celebrado en La Habana del 15 de febrero al 6 de marzo de 1913 (Spanish Edition) El Amor de una Buena Chica: Romance Juvenil con un Músico Adulto (Novela Romántica y Erótica en Español: Amor Juvenil nº 2) (Spanish Edition) ESCAPANDO HACIA EL AMOR (Súper - Romántica) (Spanish Edition) Morbo Gótico: Te sorprenderá. Novela negra y policíaca con trama romántica (Spanish Edition) La Celda de Cristal: Secuestrada y Salvada por el Mafioso Millonario Ruso (Novela Romántica y Erótica en Español: Romance Oscuro) (Spanish Edition) Romántica: Clásicamente Expuesta (Romance Contemporáneo Exhibicionismo Voyeurismo) (Fantasías Exhibicionistas de Mujeres) (Spanish Edition) El deseo de Harmony: Novela Romántica (Spanish Edition) El bosque de Laurel: Novela Romántica (Spanish Edition) Montecarlo: (Serie Romántica Suspense) (Spanish Edition) Irresistible (Serie Romántica Contemporánea): Libro 2 (Spanish Edition) Entrevista a Peter Eisenman, arquitecto: "La arquitectura, tras el Guggenheim de Bilbao, vuelve a ser imprevisible, auténtica" (Spanish Edition) La Ciudad Antigua: Estudio Sobre El Culto, El Derecho Y Las Instituciones De La Grecia Y De Roma... (Spanish Edition) La ciudad del crimen: Ciudad Juarez y los nuevos campos de exterminio de la economía global (Spanish Edition) Gran Maquina, La - La Ciudad En Le Corbusier (Arquitectura Teoria) (Spanish Edition) La Arquitectura de La Ciudad (Spanish Edition) William Curtis, historiador y crítico de arquitectura: "La arquitectura es hoy publicidad" (Spanish Edition) LA CUARTA PARED: Baracoa, la primera ciudad de Cuba, rompe las barreras del tiempo con una historia real y mística (Spanish Edition)