INSIDE THE TEMPLE

There is not so much space inside the temple. Three large canvases of the French painter Jean Baptiste Vermay (1786–1833), the founder of the San Alejandro Arts Academy in Havana in 1818, are enriching the walls. The canvas on the right wall represents the first mass offered by Bartolome de las Casas (protector of the native Indians), whereas the canvas on the left wall represents the first council (cabildo). Both are original and from the 19th century. The canvas on the central wall represents the ceremony of the blessing of the place by the bishop Espada and his mass in the presence of the captain general, the aristocrats and the high officials of the colonial government at the inauguration of the temple in 1828; it was placed later after the inauguration of the temple. The works of the same painter can be seen also inside the Catedral de la Habana. When he died by cholera, his ashes (together with the ashes of his wife) were preserved in a marble urn and placed inside of El Templete beside his bust. At the left corner of the room, there is the original marble statue of the Virgen del Pillar.

El Templete was restored recently, at the end of 2017.

THE CEIBA TREE

The ceiba tree is an important object in the history of Havana, as it is one of the fundamental axes for the celebration of the anniversary of the city. Three ceibas were planted in the place of the first ceiba in the period of 1755 and 1757, but two of them dried out soon. The third one survived until 1827, when it was necessary to remove it to facilitate the construction of the temple.  Only one of the three new ceibas that were planted the next year, lasted until 1959 and its root has been re-planted. This ceiba deteriorated and removed in 2016. The replacing ceiba also withered in one year. Current ceiba is planted in April 2017. It was 8 years old and 6 meters high, when it was planted.

St. Christopher’s Day is celebrated by papal dispensation in Cuba on November 16 since 1519. Every year in the afternoon of November 16, hundreds of Habaneros flock to the Plaza de Armas from all quarters of the city to commemorate the founding of the city. They turn around the sacred ceiba tree three times, put a coin on the roots of the tree and then they make a wish in the belief that the orishas will honor their wish.

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

El Templete is located at the northeastern corner of the Plaza de Armas. It is the smallest and the least striking one among the buildings that surround the Plaza de Armas. Nevertheless, its architecture represents the transition of the period, from the 19th-century Cuban baroque to the neoclassical style. It is the first civil work of neoclassical design in the history of Havana that had a great influence on the Cuban architecture. Its façade has a monumental character with six Doric columns that hold a decorated frieze. In the center of the pediment there is an inscription that gives information about the inauguration of the temple in 1828. The façade has an elegant simplicity and accurate proportion. The temple is in an elevated position in comparison to the Plaza de Armas and can be accessed by two stairways at both sides. The steps are made of jaimanitas, but the interior floors are paved with marble. The tips of the iron fence are spear pointed and made of bonze.