The Basílica Menor of San Francisco de Asís (; also the Convento de San Francisco de Asis) is a Catholic minor basilica and Franciscan convent in the district of Old Havana, Cuba. Its construction began in 1548 and lasted until 1591, although it was inaugurated in 1575, it was badly damaged by storms in 1680 and 1692, and by a hurricane that broke down its tower in 1694. Started in its current form in 1716, it was completely completed almost 200 years later, with a series of structural reforms from 1731 to 1738.

Public square

Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (Saint Francis of Assisi Square) is a public square in the district of Old Havana, Havana, Cuba. Founded on 2 June 1628, it is one of the oldest squares in Havana. It is named after the nearby Convento de San Francisco de Asís, a Franciscan convent built between 1575 and 1591. The iconic Fuente de los Leones, built by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Gaggini, was installed in 1836.

In 1761, José Martín Félix de Arrate, Mayor of Havana, considered the plaza to be the best place in the city. Both the city hall (casas capitulares), police house, jailhouse and customs office faced the plaza at the time. It attained its current status of minor basilica in 1739. The adjacent Plaza de San Francisco de Asís was inaugurated in 1628. Along with the rest of Old Havana, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.

Cloister

thumb|Cloister, Basílica Menor de San Francisco de Asís.

The cloister of the adjacent monastery which dates back to 1739 now houses a museum of sacred art. In front of the basilica on the sidewalk stands a bronze life-size statue by Jose Villa Soberon of José María López Lledín known as El Caballero de Paris (1899–1985) is buried inside the basilica.

See also

  • Plaza Vieja, Havana
  • José María López Lledín
  • Iglesia del Espíritu Santo, Havana
  • Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula, Havana
  • Iglesia Santo Cristo del Buen Viaje, Havana
  • Havana Cathedral

References

  • Cuba - Eyewitness Travel Guides (Dorling Kindersley Publishing, 2004)
  • Havana (Lonely Planet Publications,2001)
  • The Odyssey Illustrated Guide To Cuba (Guidebook Company Ltd., 1995)

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File:A view of the Franciscan church & convent in the city of Havana, taken from the alcalde's house in Granby Square Vue de l'eglise et du convent des Franciscains, dans la ville de la Havane, LCCN2004671544.jpg|A view of the Franciscan convent in the city of Havana, taken from the alcalde's house in Granby Square, circa 1768, Library of Congress

File:Plaza de San Francisco, Havana, Cuba.jpg

File:Playa Vieja in Havana (side view).jpg

File:Scenes of Cuba (K5 02261) (5981996756).jpg

File:SaintFrancisHavana.JPG

File:La havane couvent san francisco de assis nef.JPG|Interior of the basilica

File:La havane couvent san francesco de assis choeur.JPG

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See also

  • List of buildings in Havana
  • Church Nave
  • Old Havana and its Fortifications: Convento de San Francisco de Asis* Digital Photographic Archive of Historic Havana