CubaPLUS Magazine

An interesting proposal draws the attention of the Center's walker historic center of Old Havana, a city immersed in the outskirts of the celebrations for his 504th birthday, next November 16. We are talking about nothing less than the periscope or Dark Camera installed at the top of the building's 38.6 meter tower, Gómez Vila, precisely in its dome, located in one of the corners of the legendary Plaza Vieja, in the middle of a haunted place where time and history seem frozen.

This camera, built by the English company SIDEN Optical Company allows you to observe very beautiful visions of buildings, streets and emblematic places throughout the capital city with a breadth covering 360 degrees all around. It is said to be one of the few Dark Chambers that exist in the world and in Latin America, since it is stated that on the planet there are only little more than fifty. And the fascinating thing about it is being a gadget that comes from the Renaissance, nothing less than the invention made in the 15th century by the great humanist, artist and scientist who was Leonardo da Vinci, based on calculations by the famous Aristotle, 2,500 years ago, what seduction emanates from this room where the blessed camera, for the luck of natives and foreigners.

The equipment installed under the auspices of the Office of the Historian of the City and of interest to Eusebio Leal Spengler, is similar to those found in Spain, England, Portugal and the United States. Basically it works thanks to the optical effect that is produced when it captures what is happening around the building through the light that arrives at the instrument. A set of lenses guarantees that such a phenomenon is produced and reflects it on a white screen, a very beautiful panorama.

As it is supposed to be the only one of its kind in Cuba and it was inaugurated in 2001, donated to Cuba by a provincial institution of Cádiz, Spain. You definitely admire the views of Havana Bay, the Metropolitan Cathedral , the Russian Orthodox Church, the splendid Christ of Havana, and beyond, buildings in El Vedado and Centro Habana, the vestiges of the old Wall... It is usual that the services of the Chamber facilitate guided tours in Spanish, English, French and Italian.