A charming copy of a Doric temple, El Templete (The Pavilion, daily 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., CUC1 including guide) stands on the northeast corner of the Plaza de Armas [1]. It was inaugurated on March 19, 1828, on the site where the first mass and town council meeting were held in 1519, beside a massive ceiba tree. The original ceiba was felled by a hurricane in 1828 and replaced by a column fronted by a small bust of Christopher Columbus.
A ceiba has since been replanted and today shades the tiny temple, whose interior features a wall-to-ceiling triptych depicting the first mass, the first town council meeting, and El Templete’s inauguration. In the center of the room sits a bust of the artist, Jean-Baptiste Vermay (1786–1833).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/cuba/havana/sights-habana-vieja/plaza-de-armas