Calzada San Lazaro

Habana, Cuba

San Lazaro Road is a journey through time, each end can be its beginning or end, but in chronological order I prefer to say that it begins in the Old Havana district. It begins right in the square of La Punta, built between 1589 and 1600, in an area surrounded by the Castillo de San Salvador, the prison where José Martí was held, the obelisk where the eight medical students were shot, and the statue of the poet Juan Clement Zenea.

All of these are centers of attraction where art and history come together in perfect condition. The avenue enters the Centro Habana municipality where you can appreciate the passage of time due to the poor condition of its buildings, which date back to 1815, not as old as those of Old Havana but of equal architectural beauty that are awaiting restoration.

Finally, it reaches the Plaza de la Revolución municipality, right up to the entrance of the University of Havana, which although it is very old, is surrounded by more modern constructions that are just over 50 years old. Among them the Calixto García Hospital previously called the Student Clinic (1949), the Hotel Habana Libre or by its original name Hotel Habana Free (1958) and the Coppelia ice cream parlor (1966).

From the foundation of the first cemetery in Havana, the avenue was the transit of all the funeral processions. At its beginning it is a narrow street with two directions and two lanes in each one, right up to the Hermanos Ameijeiras hospital or former Charity, where it widens although keeping the same lanes, these are much wider and illuminated by the sun.

Nowadays it is a busy route for cars of all ages, buses, taxis and pedestrians with the typical joy of Cubans. It is a mandatory tour for the town and for visitors who cannot stop admiring the splendor of the area.