This colonial building, built in 1688, was the property of some aristocratic families during different periods, such as the Castellón, Luque and Hermosilla. The owners of the building had a privileged place in the society until the 19th century, as they had to shoulder the task of chaplaincy. Chaplains committed to be the instruments of God in the process of restoring the mental, physical, social and spiritual health of the humanity, particularly of those that were most in need.

At the end of the 20th century, the deterioration of the building necessitated a through restoration. On the other hand, as a certain part of Havana's historical-artistic heritage, it was already included in the process of restoration of the historic center of the city. During the restoration process the halls and the decorated ceilings were rescued, and some mural paintings were discovered. It was inaugurated as Casa de Asia Museum in 1997.

The museum has a rich collection of samples of Asian culture, enriched by the donations of different governmental institutions of the countries of the region. It should be also mentioned here that Fidel Castro has donated some gifts to the museum that he received as President of Cuba.

At the entrance of the museum a Terracotta soldier and the metal statuette of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja welcome you. The big vase with the picture of Ho Chi Minh is the gift of Vietnam to Fidel Castro that donated it to the museum.

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the Terracotta soldier at the entrance

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the metal statuette of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja

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Ho Chi Minh figure on the giant vase, official gift of Vietnam to Fidel Castro that donated it to the museum

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the Hiroshima Stone for Peace with the engraved image of Goddess of Mercy (Kuan Yin)

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the courtyard

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entrance of Casa de Asia

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dish and vase from India (20th century), made by incrustation technique (marble, gold sheets)

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Hbyōbu (folding screen) with flowers from the Edo period (17th to 19th century), made of wood, bronze and gold folios

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Chinese vase and the amphora from Iran (20th century), made of enamel

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Chinese furniture, made of lacquered wood and mother of pearl incrustations

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silver vases made by chiseling, from Iran (20th century) and the metal horse figure made by cloisonné technique, from China (20th century)

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ship of the treasurers, from Japan (20th century), made of gold, silver and copper Chinese man figure from China (20th century), made of gold and silver bowl, from India (20th century), made of 24 carat gold horse figure from Malaysia (20th century), made of gold and silver

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big ceramic vase from Japan (19th century and the traditional Japanese dress: kimono, from the 20th century, made of silk with gold and silver embroiders and the doll from Japan (20th century)

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crystal container with inlays of gold, silver and colored stones, from Turkey (20th century)

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the room dedicated to weapons from the Orient

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saber from Vietnam (20th century)

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the library

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The museum has a nice courtyard; however, the exhibition halls are on the upper floor. The rooms below function as a children’s school today.

The collection consists of pieces of the decorative art that show the artistic and cultural heritage of numerous countries of the East. These are the porcelains from the Ming and Ding dynasties of China, Chinese and Japanese furniture, chests made of lacquered wood, curved wood from India and Ceylon, Japanese byōbus (folding screens) of 19th century, rubies and sapphires from Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam, ancient weapons, such as the samurai-style sword from tenth-century Laos and the Katanas from Japan (traditional swords), armors from Japan, traditional costumes like kimono, ivory fans, figures made of jade, models of boats from Bangladesh etc.

The museum has also a library on the ground floor, specialized in all what is related with Asia, where you can find also some rare original books.