The Cuban content creator Diana Aguiar (@diaguiar.02) surprised her followers on Instagram by sharing an unexpected experience during a visit to the iconic Palace of the Captains General, located in the heart of Old Havana.
Aguiar explored, along with a group of friends, some ancient underground passages that are hidden beneath the historic building. They were constructed in the second half of the 18th century.
The young woman highlighted that the historian Eusebio Leal maintained the theory that these tunnels connected several colonial homes in Havana.
"It was a funerary crypt, but many Cuban historians say that they are actually passageways that connect to other areas of the city," Aguiar commented on his social media, generating great interest among history enthusiasts and fans of urban mysteries.
A baroque gem with secrets beneath the earth
The Palace of the Captains General, currently home to the Museum of the City, is regarded as the pinnacle of Baroque architecture in Cuba.
Its construction began in 1776, near the Catedral de La Habana, and it served as the residence of the 65 captains general sent by the Spanish Crown to govern the island. It also hosted the Administrator of the U.S. during the intervention from 1898 to 1902, and was Presidential Palace until 1920.
In addition to its stunning architecture, the building has served multiple purposes. It was a town hall, prison, headquarters for government offices, and is currently a museum with more than 40 rooms dedicated to national history. Among its most visited spaces is the inner courtyard, where a statue of Christopher Columbus has stood since 1862.
Now, thanks to Aguiar's testimony, interest is rekindled in the hidden levels of this national monument, where official history coexists with the mysteries of Havana tunnels.
Frequently asked questions about the hidden passages in the Palace of the Captain Generals in Havana
What did Diana Aguiar discover in the Palace of the Captains General?
Diana Aguiar discovered hidden underground passages in the Palace of the Captain Generals, in Old Havana. These tunnels, built in the 18th century, could connect several colonial houses in the city.
What is historian Eusebio Leal's theory about these tunnels?
The historian Eusebio Leal argued that the tunnels connected several colonial homes in Havana. While some historians believe they were burial crypts, Leal's theory suggests a broader use for these passageways.
What is the historical significance of the Palace of the Captain Generals?
The Palace of the Captains General is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture in Cuba. It was the residence of 65 captains general sent by the Spanish Crown, served as the Presidential Palace, and is currently the Museum of the City, featuring over 40 rooms dedicated to national history.
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