El Templete Havana
El Templete: Havana's historic birthplace, marked by a sacred ceiba tree and rich founding traditions.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Witness founding anniversary traditions
El Templete Havana
Best Time
Witness founding anniversary traditions
Highlights
Must-see attractions
El Templete: Havana's historic birthplace, marked by a sacred ceiba tree and rich founding traditions.
"A cornerstone of Havana's history, El Templete and its revered ceiba tree offer a unique cultural experience."
🔄 Walk around the Ceiba Tree
Participate in the tradition: walk 3 times, toss a coin, and make a wish.
📜 Learn the History
Understand its significance as Havana's founding site and its connection to the ceiba tree.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Sacred Ceiba Tree
Adjacent to El Templete
A revered ancient ceiba tree, marking Havana's founding site and a place for wishes and traditions.
El Templete Monument
Paseo del Prado, Havana
A historic monument commemorating Havana's foundation, featuring significant artwork inside.
Founding Anniversary Tradition
El Templete grounds
Experience the midnight walk around the ceiba tree on Havana's founding anniversary (Nov 16th).
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Understand El Templete's Significance
Embrace the Ceiba Tree Ritual
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🔄 Walk around the Ceiba Tree
Participate in the tradition: walk 3 times, toss a coin, and make a wish. 
📜 Learn the History
Understand its significance as Havana's founding site and its connection to the ceiba tree.
📸 Capture the Moment
The architecture and the ancient ceiba tree offer great photo opportunities.
🚶♀️ Explore Old Havana
El Templete is part of a larger walking tour of Old Havana's landmarks.
Tips
from all over the internet
🔄 Walk around the Ceiba Tree
Participate in the tradition: walk 3 times, toss a coin, and make a wish.
📜 Learn the History
Understand its significance as Havana's founding site and its connection to the ceiba tree.
📸 Capture the Moment
The architecture and the ancient ceiba tree offer great photo opportunities.
🚶♀️ Explore Old Havana
El Templete is part of a larger walking tour of Old Havana's landmarks.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise El Templete as a historically significant landmark and a peaceful spot. The revered ceiba tree and its associated traditions are frequently highlighted as a unique and meaningful experience. While some reviews are brief, they consistently convey a sense of awe and appreciation for the site's cultural importance.
"An architectural landmark to the city of Cali. Eclectic architecture with publisher space potential."
Carlos Hurtado
"Great place to be in peace with only Lord and yourself, awesome experience!!!!"
Luis Alvarado
"😘"
Helman Meneses
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
El Templete is located in Old Havana, easily accessible by walking if you're staying nearby. Taxis are also readily available throughout the city to take you to this historic site.
Yes, El Templete is frequently included in guided walking tours of Old Havana, offering historical context and insights.
Walking is the best way to explore Old Havana and discover El Templete along with other historical sites like Plaza de Armas.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
El Templete itself is an outdoor monument and historical site, generally free to visit and admire from the outside. Access to any interior exhibits or spaces may vary.
As an outdoor landmark, El Templete is accessible at most times. However, specific access to any internal areas or associated buildings might have set hours. It's best to visit during daylight hours for the full experience.
Typically, there is no entrance fee to see El Templete and its surrounding ceiba tree, as it's a public historical marker.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
The ceiba tree is central to El Templete's history, marking the exact spot where Havana was founded in 1519. It's a sacred tree in Afro-Cuban traditions and a focal point for visitors.
Visitors often participate in a ritual at the ceiba tree: walking around it three times, tossing a coin into its roots, and making a silent wish.
Inside El Templete, you can find three paintings commemorating significant historical events: the first Christian mass, the first town council meeting, and the founding of the city.
Yes, El Templete and its iconic ceiba tree offer unique photographic opportunities, blending history, nature, and Cuban culture.
Havana's founding anniversary is on November 16th. Locals and visitors may gather at El Templete to observe traditions on this day.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's a relatively quick stop, making it ideal for younger attention spans. Combine it with a stroll through Old Havana to see other historical sites, keeping the day engaging without being overwhelming. The open space around the monument allows for a bit of freedom to move around.
🏛️ History Buffs
Beyond the monument itself, the adjacent ceiba tree adds another layer of historical and cultural depth, representing indigenous reverence and the blending of traditions. Exploring El Templete is like stepping back in time to the very genesis of one of the Caribbean's most vibrant cities.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Historical Heart of Havana
The site is intrinsically linked to the sacred ceiba tree that stands beside it. This ancient tree is deeply revered in Cuban culture, particularly within Afro-Cuban traditions, and is believed to hold spiritual significance. Many visitors are drawn to the tree as much as the monument itself, participating in age-old rituals.
+1Understanding El Templete's role as the birthplace of Havana provides a profound connection to the city's past. It's a place where history, culture, and spirituality converge, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking to grasp the essence of Old Havana.
The Ceiba Tree Ritual and Its Meaning
+1Visitors are encouraged to participate in a ritual that involves walking around the ceiba tree three times. As you complete the circuit, you're meant to toss a coin into its roots and silently make a wish. This practice is a way for people to connect with the history of the place and to seek good fortune.
+1This ritual is a beautiful example of how historical sites in Havana blend tangible history with living cultural practices. It offers a moment of reflection and hope, making a visit to El Templete a deeply personal and memorable experience. Many locals continue to honor this tradition, especially around Havana's founding anniversary.
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