In the former church of San Felipe de Neri, located in the historic urban center of the Cuban capital, an important concert hall has been operating for several years. This church was built in 1693. It is located on the corner of Aguiar and Obrapía streets in Old Havana. There, architectural beauty and exquisite artistic proposals are intertwined. Archeology, history and museology combine to provide the city with a temple dedicated to lyrical music and other genres. The concert hall is adorned with lavish tapestries and paintings. It has recording studios, dressing rooms and a stage that, in addition to welcoming operatic artists, is a unique showcase for archeological finds.

The readjustment of the building to the new functions implied the location of the stage without altering the structure of the building, which besides exhibiting the beauty and sumptuousness of the temple, at the same time recalls the splendor of one of the best exponents of the banking architecture of the time. Below the dome and elevated over the foundation stone, the podium has the bank vaults behind it and the preserved choir loft of the old San Felipe oratory in front of it. This former church is a place of excellence for the development of culture. It is part of the triangle formed by the Basilica of San Francisco de Asis, dedicated to choral and chamber music, and the church of Paula, reserved for ancient music.

Aguiar Street

Aguiar is one of the busiest arteries in Old Havana. It extends from Peña Pobre to Sol Street. This centennial artery owes its name to Colonel Luis José de Aguiar, who lived on the corner it forms with Tejadillo Street. In its route it crosses important historical sites, among them the old San Juan de Dios square, forming one of its sides, as well as the small square of San Felipe Neri, in front of the old oratory of the same name, building that through the time had different uses, converted today into a concert hall.

Obrapía Street

It is located in Old Havana, in the Historic Center of the City. This street narrows south of the Plaza de Armas and runs from east to west, from Avenida del Puerto to Monserrate Street. The name Obrapía derives from the large house that has existed since 1648 on the corner of Mercaderes Street with that name. In this street there are thematic museums such as the Benito Juarez, known as Casa de Mexico, a colonial building of great beauty in which many activities dedicated to the country of the Aztecs are carried out; the Casa Oswaldo Guayasamin, dedicated to the life and work of the famous painter and the Casa de Africa, where the influence on Cuban culture of Africans who were torn from their lands and brought to the island as slaves is evoked.

Basilica of San Francisco de Asís

On Oficios Street, between Amargura and Churruca, in Old Havana, is a majestic old building known as the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. This convent dates back to January 18, 1575, when the Havana City Council granted powers to Friar Francisco Jimenez to request a license for the creation of a monastery for that Order in the city. Its construction was completed in 1591. At present, the temple is used as a concert hall dedicated to choral and chamber music.