Havana celebrates its 503rd anniversary today

Known throughout the world as a city of culture, art, history, architecture and music, Havana celebrates its 503rd anniversary today November 16.

Founded on November 16, 1519, under a ceiba tree by the Spanish conquerors, the city became the third most popular island capital. Originally a village, it was known as San Cristobal de La Habana. The ceiba tree still exists at the Plaza de Armas near the El Templete church.

Since the day of its founding in 1519, the city has undergone many changes, earning it the title, “Wonder City of the World.”

For over 500 years, Havana’s population has been growing and today the number of residents of the city stands at 2.2 million people.

In 1982, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared the Historic Center of Havana, a World Heritage Site.

The New7Wonders Foundation based in Switzerland, recognized Havana as one of the world’s New7Wonders Cities in 2014. This year, Havana was one of 28 finalists.

Exhibitions and concerts dedicated to the beloved City Historian, Dr. Eusebio Leal Spengler, created by the Office of the Historian of the City of Havana (OHCH) are scheduled.

Other art exhibitions, concerts, book launch events and music festivals take place throughout Havana this month.

Last night, Havana’s ALBA Culture Center gave a concert entitled “Cantata to Havana.”

Tonight, Habana Clásica’s Visiones Trasatlánticas takes place at the Oratorio San Felipe Neri in Old Havana.