Defining the northeastern edge of Plaza de la Catedral is Palacio del Conde Lombillo. The mansion was built in 1741 by Alfonso Herández de Ayones for the Pedroso family. In 1872, ownership transferred to José Lombillo and his wife, a Pedroso daughter. Two years later, Lombillo made it into offices for his sugar factory called San Gabriel. After his death in 1903, the building had several occupants during the first half of the 20th century, including a post office, lawyer, Municipal School of Music and the National Defense Secretariat. In 1947, it became the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana for a few years. Then, in 2000, that function returned. Their mission is to protect the cultural and historical heritage of Cuba.
