5-five-5: Old Havana and its Fortification System

Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish.

By the 17th century, it had become one of the Caribbean's main centres for ship-building.

Although it is today a sprawling metropolis of 2 million inhabitants, its old centre retains an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, and a homogeneous ensemble of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards.