CubaPLUS Magazine

The Cuban capital, prodigal in gardens and parks, represents a good example of how nature can be conserved within a city, which has been called "the lungs of the city."

There are many places where gardens proliferate in Havana, but today we will talk about just a few, which in our opinion should not be missed by those who come to the city, from beyond the seas, to enjoy a well-deserved vacation.

Located in the Miramar neighborhood, the Monte Barreto Ecological Park, with an extension of 15 hectares, constitutes a wonderful haven of peace, where people can spend an extremely pleasant day due to its natural conditions since its green areas allow the practice of sports and many other outdoor activities.

There lives a large number of autochthonous, national and local endemic species, both flora and invertebrate fauna. Two endemic species of the coastal xeromorphic scrub were identified as having botanical value: the Verbesina angulata (disappeared) and the Centrosemalobatum. Some 68 species are known to inhabit this area, of which 43 are introduced and 25 are autochthonous, including 21 from America and 4 from the Antilles.

As for the fauna, there are an estimated eleven species of mollusks, the most important being the Cereiumnumiambarrentonia, as it is endemic to this place. There are about 19 species of birds there, 12 permanent residents, according to specialized studies, and it is considered that this area is a biological corridor for numerous species of birds that arrive during the winter.

Another site that also attracts adults and children is the Almendares Park, not far from the aforementioned. Bordered by the river of the same name, it is another of the places where nature is queen. There, in addition to large groves where you can camp to enjoy a delicious lunch, or sleep under the branches of the trees or simply take walks, visitors can take a boat ride on the river from where they can observe the beauty of the place, as well as sites of heritage interest such as the remains of the El Husillo Dam and the channels of the Fernando VII Aqueduct.

To give you an idea of the interest of the city authorities in terms of environmental conservation, in the case of this park, various initiatives have been developed to encourage love of nature and its areas, such as planting trees, the creation of circles of interest with children and community projects in the  settlements that are in the surroundings of the place. Not far from Almendares Park, following our tour, is John Lennon Park, located in the well-known neighborhood of El Vedado, between 15, 17, 6 and 8 streets.

It was formerly called Menocal Park. However, hardly anyone remembers that name because on the 20th anniversary of the death of John Lennon in 2000, a bronze sculpture from the hands of the Cuban sculptor José Villa Soberón was placed on one of its benches. It can be said that this is a magical place. The shade of the trees, the chirping of the birds and the fresh air that beats there daily, make this park a wonderful place, because it seems that they are paying permanent homage to one of the most famous musicians of the last century.

In addition to this, a few steps away is the nightclub "The Yellow Submarine” (El submarino amarillo”, where every night Cuban groups that cultivate rock offer their performances.

We now continue to Old Havana, a World Heritage Site, where one of the iconic sites is, without a doubt, the Central Park. An almost obligatory place of transit for everyone who arrives in the old part of the city, since its location, between the central streets of Neptuno, San José, Agramonte and Paseo del Prado, is almost an obligatory point of passage. There, a large statue of the National Hero of Cuba, José Martí, the first built in his honor, presides over the place, surrounded by 28 royal palms symbolizing his birth date, January 28, 1853.

To end the tour, we arrive at Parque del Cristo, also in Old Havana and not far from Central Park. Located at the intersection of Bernaza, Teniente Rey, Villegas and Lamparilla streets. Those who walk through the area find there a place to rest and take shelter from the hot tropical sun. Located in the Plaza del Cristo, in the center is the baroque-style church that gives it its name and its history is almost a legend, since for many years, the sailors used to go to the Church before embarking on their trips with the objective to ask for good fortune on the journey or, upon return, they would return grateful for the good luck that had accompanied them on the trip.

Nothing, that in one or another neighborhood, all municipalities in the capital are full of gardens and parks for the pleasure of those living in the capitol, as well as visitors that see in these places true havens of peace.