A City in Miniature
The Model of the Historic Center of Havana allows its visitors to observe carefully the reproductions of buildings and streets which were also distinguished as a Cultural Heritage of Mankind
By Ana Margarita Sánchez Soler asanchez@enet.cu
Cuba has landscapes of a dazzling beauty. The green has identified the Cuban landscapes for a long time because of its relation with vegetation in rural areas. However, there are people who prefer to find the shade in Havana’s urban spaces, where the greenery is not so abundant, though it reigns over the soul of the city, once San Cristóbal de La Habana.
The charms of this ancient town have been trying to challenge time and its inexorable corrosion. That’s why the eyes from all over the world undertake the trip that the ocean demands to see this city. Thus, the occasional and the native visitor become attached to the city, and the admiration of the beauty clings to us like the cobblestones in Obispo Street.
November 16 has been an excellent date for venerating all the life that these stones save. This day was the 36th anniversary of the declaration of the Historic Center in Old Havana as a Cuban National Monument. The day for the appointment was chosen in 1979 for celebrating the anniversary of the foundation of the town.
These two events could be the suitable pretext for submerging in one miniaturized part of the city. The Model of the Historic Center allows its visitors to observe carefully the reproductions of the buildings and streets which were also distinguished as Cultural Heritage of Mankind.
The Model is located in the former warehouse of the Taquechel Drugstore in Mercaderes # 114. This work by Orlando Martorell, incites us to rediscover the city from new perspectives. The installation was created by its author in three years, and he used his depth of knowledge as model maker and topographer.
The audience may enjoy the illumination and sound effects that accompany the piece by creating an exquisite atmosphere. In addition, it’s possible to be instructed by specialists about the content of the model.
A city like Havana deserves to be known in all possible ways. Every day we perceive the sounds, the breeze and colors that accompany Havana. And, perhaps going to see this representation will be a way of grasping easily the dazzling constructions.
Probably you like me, think about having Havana in your pocket, and taking it with you for good.