The Palacio de Aldama is a neoclassical mansion located diagonally opposite to the old Plaza del Vapor, and in front of the old Campo de Marte; present day Parque de la Fraternidad, in Havana, Cuba. Built in 1840 by the Dominican architect and engineer Manuel José Carrera, its main facade of columns spans one block on Calle Amistad between Calles Reina and Estrella.
Palacio de Aldama stair in 1955
Palacio de Aldama, south east corner. Havana, Cuba.
Palacio de Aldama ca. 1890 showing fence of Campo de Marte
Palacioo de Aldama from the Campo Marte. Havana, Cuba
The Plaza del Vapor was a covered market in Havana, it was completed in 1835. Its name derives from its builder Francisco Martí who became later the impresario of the Tacón Theatre and who had a monopoly of fish trade in the city. Martí had a painting placed against a wall from a bar of the ship El Neptuno, the first vapor that made regular round trips between Havana and Matanzas. "It was the image of that ship that ended up naming the building." From the Plaza del Vapor, Martí sold 50% of all the lottery tickets. in Cuba.
Plaza del Vapor, corner of Calles Galiano and Reina.
Central courtyard. Leonardo Morales y Pedroso's Cuban Telephone Co. building in the background.
Plaza de Vapor_entrance calle Dragones, Havana, Cuba
The steamship Neptuno, for which the Plaza "del Vapor" was named