Doors of Havana, Cuba

Restored doors with lion door knockers

Restored doors with lion door knockers

The architectural styles, history and condition of Cuba’s buildings and objects, particularly in Havana, inspired architect Rocío. She loved the facades, iron work, cornices, balconies, tiles, door knockers, stairs and, especially, the doors.

The woman in this doorway provides a comparative basis to visualise the enormous height of some Havana doors

The enormous height of these doors dwarfs humans; the sign indicates work is being executed

Havana’s historic wealth combined with post-Cuban Revolution austerity and the US blockade have left most original buildings intact but in poor condition. Gradually, more and more significant buildings are being restored, especially in Old Havana (Habana Vieja). Financed by tourism, the resulting buildings and facilities have attracted more tourists, increasing the funds available for restoration.

Twin doors with varying window treatments above and differently coloured opposing metal posts

Twin doors with varying window treatments above and differently coloured opposing metal posts

Many old buildings have tall doors three or four metres high. This allowed extra airflow, cooling interior rooms better before air-conditioning.

Twin Havana doors surrounded by a decorative red and white façade

Twin Havana doors surrounded by a decorative red and white façade

A well-used Havana door knocker

A well-used Havana door knocker

Balcony doorway and elaborate metalwork balcony fence

Balcony doorway and elaborate metalwork balcony fence

Restored twin doors with one ajar

Restored twin doors with one ajar

A door from one of many tired buildings that would look amazing restored

A door from one of many tired buildings that would look amazing restored

Twin doors with irregularly-shaped frame

Twin doors with irregularly-shaped frame

Side-by-side doors that lead to different houses, the left one with a CDR sign

Side-by-side doors that lead to different houses;  the left one indicates Mariano Perez Lopez of Committee for the Defence of the Revolution (CDR) #1 resides here

Two single doors with metal grilles and a set of twin doors

Two single doors with metal grilles and a set of twin doors

Twin doors leading to different houses made in 1919 according to the window

Twin doors leading to different houses made in 1919 according to the window

Matching doors with sections above that open for airflow

Matching doors with sections above that open for airflow

A door with separate complementary window

A door with separate complementary window

Neoclassical pilasters surround this door

Neoclassical pilasters surround this door

Standing in doorway surrounded by an elaborate arched frame; the numbers above reading "26 y 28" (26 and 28) might reference street numbers

Standing in doorway surrounded by an elaborate arched frame; the numbers above reading “26 y 28” (26 and 28) probably reference street numbers

Lights to the left and right and an ornate design above

Lights to the left and right and an ornate design above

Door with pilasters; the sign on the right is for a private guest house licensed to host foreigners

Door with pilasters; the blue sign on the right is for a private guest house licensed to host foreigners (guest houses for Cubans display red symbols)

 

Pelicans top-out this door's moulding adjacent a CDR number 1 sign

Pelicans top-out this door’s moulding adjacent a CDR sign

 

 

Doors with sign on right advertising embroidery

Doors with sign advertising embroidery

This grilled window was likely a door in former times

This grilled window was likely a door in former times

A real estate agent would market this house as 'having plenty of character'

A real estate agent would market this house as ‘having plenty of character’

An old, elaborate façade surrounds the door of this fenced-off building

An old, elaborate façade surrounds the door of this fenced-off building

The passing of time has removed part of this door's ornate moulding

The passing of time has removed part of this door’s ornate moulding

A fancy, tall and narrow Havana door

A fancy, tall and narrow Havana door

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