El Capitolio

The National Capitol, the symbol of Cuba, is one of those elegant buildings of great architectural and historical wealth. It was declared a National Monument on 15 November 2010 and recently underwent an important restoration.

The building reaches a height of 91.73 m, which is why it can be seen from various parts of the city. Crossing the main entrance, you reach the rotunda under the dome, and at both ends, you can see the two rooms of the Hall of the Lost Steps, of an eclectic style. In the centre, there is a 25-carat diamond under the central needle of the dome, which marks the zero-kilometre point of the country's highways. With a height of 14.60 m is the Statue of the Republic, considered the third-tallest indoor statue in the world.

The building also houses other rooms of interest, such as the Salón Baire, which was a conference and protocol room for the House of Representatives; the Bolívar Room, which preserves its original furniture, with a refined French atmosphere from the Napoleon era; the Baraguá Room, in a neoclassical style, which was used as a work area for the secretariats of the House of Representatives; and the Salón Martí in the Italian Renaissance style, which serves as a prelude to the library. The Capitol is admired by both natives and foreigners and has become a must-see if you are in Havana.