Basilica de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba - Encircle Photos

Basilica de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba

In 1591, the Franciscans built their first church in Havana. After it was destroyed by three storms in the late 17th century, the current Basilica de San Francisco was finished in 1716. About 15 years later, the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco de Asís was established. The British used this as a place of Protestant worship during their occupation of Cuba in 1762. After their exile, the building was never used as a church again. Today, the property is a concert hall and the adjoining monastery is a museum of religious art. The three-tier, 140 foot bell tower overlooks the south end of Plaza de San Francisco. In the foreground is a white, Carrara marble fountain. Fuente de los Leones (Fountain of the Lions) was sculpted by Giuseppe Gaggini and installed in the square in 1836.

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Basilica de San Francisco in Havana, Cuba

154 Oficios, La Habana, Cuba

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