Cayman’s closest neighbour is often seen as having a crumbled majesty; images of the Malecon’s fading glamour and piles of rubble often come to mind.
But Cuba, of course, is far more than that, as Michael Connors’ spectacular new tome The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors shows in extraordinarily gorgeous style.
Mr. Connors tells Weekender that it was a huge project to pull together.
“I’ve actually had this particular book in mind, researching it, planning the photography, and writing it for 10 years; ever since I finished my first book about Cuban decorative arts, Cuban Elegance, that was published in 2004 – and is in it’s sixth reprint,” he said.
“I’ve written more than 15,000 words about the architecture of Cuba in The Splendor of Cuba; 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors and the most important thing I can say in a sentence is that; Cuba (an island that is only 750 miles in length) has every style of architecture that has ever existed in the last 500 years,” Mr. Connors said. “That includes Romanesque, Renaissance, Baroque, Plateresque, Mudejar (Moorish-Spanish), Rococo, Neoclassical, all the nineteenth century revival styles, Beaux-Arts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modernism, etc. and this cannot be said about any other country in the Western Hemisphere.”
Gorgeous palacios
Although inevitably Havana has many examples of the unique architecture found throughout Cuba, there are many other cities where the team found and photographed gorgeous palacios, mansions and houses.
“A few of the cities I recommend visiting to see more beautiful architecture would be Trinidad, Matanzas, Holquin, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, and Camaguey,” he said. “Of course there is the music, art, cigars, coffee, rum and most important the Cuban people themselves. Never in my 40 years of travelling throughout the Caribbean have I met a more friendly, gracious, and hospitable culture. The Cubans I worked with were industrious, resourceful, genuinely interested in my book project and generously sheared their homes, knowledge and resources.” Access was not always easy, he said, seemingly changing from day to day.
“There were days when access to historically significant architecture was easy and there were days when it seemed impossible,” Mr. Connors said. “Gaining access to homes, palacios, museums, art galleys, etc. can be, as Cubans often say, ‘complicated’. I found that gentle and courteous persistence paid off.”
Unique beauty
Cuba has much to recommend it and in a sense is one of the last undiscovered Caribbean places, particularly for Americans due to the restrictions, although as Michael pointed out, many Europeans, Latin Americans and Asians are travelling there and discovering the island’s rich history and unique beauty. But what is Cuba doing to preserve these architectural gems for the future?
“When I first visited Cuba 14 years ago I was happy to see that there were no McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, strip malls, or insensitive development,” he said. “The cities were beautiful, but deteriorating and in need of restoration and conservation. It was then that I coined the phrase ‘preservation by neglect.’
“Since then I have seen tremendous changes in Cuba regarding the preservation of historically significant architecture,” Mr. Connors said. “I’ve travelled the island form Pinar del Rio in the west to Santiago de Cuba in the east and met the curators, historians, conservators, and custodians of Cuba’s material culture. They continue to identify, research, and restore their valuable cultural essence of Cubanidad, Cuba’s architectural heritage.”
Join Michael at Books & Books on Friday, 17 February at 7pm for a Cuban fiesta celebrating the release of his latest book, The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors. Purchase a copy of the book, have it signed by the author and enjoy a complimentary mojito along with a selection of bocaditos.
Join Michael at Books & Books on Friday, 17 February at 7pm for a Cuban fiesta celebrating the release of his latest book, The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors. Enjoy a visual tour of stunning and architecturally significant Cuban palacios, mansions and private homes. Purchase a copy of the book, have it signed by the author and enjoy a complimentary mojito along with a selection of bocaditos.
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