In one corner of the Plaza Vieja, Havana, lies a curious tower 35 meters in height. Inside it you will find the Camara Oscura, an optical device that gives visitors a 360-degree view of the city. Leonardo da Vinci originally invented the device; there are currently 74 around the world.
While da Vinci built the first Camara Oscura in the 15th century, the one in Havana didn’t open until 2001. It projects a live image of what is going on in Old Havana, with a maximum range of 5 kilometers.
The Havana version was a gift from the Council of Cadiz, a city in Spain, and projects the view of the city onto a dark screen inside the tower, magnified 30 times. It has become a popular tourist attraction, although it only works on clear days.
Take a trip up the tower to marvel at the view of a fascinating city from an angle few people have ever seen. It’s a mind-bending experience, and one well worth checking out on your trip to Havana.
The Camara Oscura is open 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and there are guided tours in various languages.
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