Design: Gilberto González García
José Martí was born in Old Havana, and lived there during his first years of life. It is not rare then that in the ancient streets and buildings of that neighborhood, his treads still live through.
They did not duly preserved many of those treads during the first half of the Twentieth Century, but in spite of what they meant, the figure of the Apostle was not so important for the governments in power.
At the triumph of the Revolution, in January 1959, a systematic disclosure and rescue work began, related to the life and work of the man who inspired Fidel Castro and his followers in the struggle for the total and true independence of Cuba.
In the 496th anniversary of the foundation of the village of Saint Christopher of Havana, this photo gallery shows some places of Old Havana connected with the National Heroe, seen in one of the three travel schedules of Martí, organized by the branch in Havana belonging to the Cultural Society of José Martí.
The cultural promoter of that institution, Ligia Ruiz Espín, shows us the places and explains its meanings to us.
Photo: Gilberto González García
The birthplace of José Martí, located on Leonor Pérez Street (then called Paula). There the most universal of all Cubans was born, on January 28, 1853. It was a masonry humble house with a roof of tiles and wooden stairs. José Martí’s parents, Doña Leonor Pérez and Don Mariano Martí, shared this small room with his family, due to their scanty economic means of living of the family.
Photo: Courtesy of Ligia Ruiz Espín
This photo of that time shows the first act of homage offered to José Martí on February 28, 1899, four years after his fall in combat. At that then, the marvel slab was placed, which identifies the house as the place of birth of the Apostle. Among those present, were members of Martí’s family and his best friend: Fermín Valdés Domínguez. The house was converted in a museum in the same date, but in 1925 and in 1949, that National Monument was declared.
Photo: Gilberto González García
As it is the nearest church to José Martí’s house; surely his family would go there, most devoted to participate in the liturgies. Located on the corner of San Pedro and Paula streets. Nowadays, it is a concert hall and home of the Group of Ancient Music Ars Longa from the office of the historian of Havana.
Photo: Courtesy of Ligia Ruiz Espín
This was the aspect of the Church Saint Francis of Paula. It was built for the first time in 1666, a rustic construction. It was destroyed later on, and was built again in 1745. Next to it, was located the so-called pick-up hospital, where poor women were sent, who were so unlucky for being pregnant without being married.
Photo: Gilberto González García
The Alameda de Paula was the unique promenade that the city had within the walls. One of the few places where the families could go for a walk during the hot evenings. Before it was built, it had been a wasteland where garbage was thrown, which was produced in the lazaretto of Rincón. Sometime later, it was cleaned and then the alameda walk was built with earthen pavement.
Photo: Courtesy of Ligia Ruiz Espín
It was the aspect the Alameda de Paula had, projected by Engineer Colonel Antonio Fernández Trebejos, and built around 1777, as it is appreciated in this engraving of the epoch. In the background, the Principal Theater can be seen, to which José Martí, being a child used to visit with errands to hairdresser Bermúdez. In this way, he added some money to the family economy. The child being eager for learning, his parents permitted him to watch from the backstage the works performed. This helped him to his solid cultural formation. No remains of the coliseum can be seen at present.
Photo: Gilberto González García
Another Catholic centers related to José Marti’s family history is the Church of our Lady of Mercy, located On Cuba and Jesús María Streets. The construction started on January 31, 1755.
Photo: Gilberto González García
In this photo, you can appreciate the altar of the Church our Lady of Mercy.
Photo: Gilberto González García
Here Clergyman Don Manuel Vázquez baptized Pilar Eduarda, José Martí’s sister, November 16, 1859, who had been born three days before, and who was one of the daughters of Don Mariano and Doña Leonor Pérez, who died being a young woman. The temple was open for the first time in June 1632, and was consecrated to the Holy Spirit for the emancipated Negroes, who by that time were numerous.
Inside de church of the Holy Spirit. Photo: Courtesy of Ligia Efraín Espín
Photo: Gilberto González García.
Royal and Pontifical seminary of San Gerónimo. Antecedent of the present University of Havana, one of the first in Latin America. In this place, José Martí studied high school. The photo shows a model that is located in the hall; as not much of the original building is conserved.
Photo: Courtesy of Ligia Efraín Espín
Engraving of the epoch, in which one can appreciate the original form of the building of the Royal Pontifical Seminary of San Gerónimo of Havana. On the right-hand side, the present aspect of the building.
Photo: Internet
Miguel F. Viondi’s office, located at two Empedrado Street, next to the corner of Mercaderes, where José Martí worked as a houseman, and where he could conspire against the Spanish colonialist government, together with Juan Gualberto Gómez.
Translated by: Reinaldo Fernández
