Cuartel de Milicias, Havana

The Cuartel de Milicias was the largest barracks in the city of Havana in the 18th century. Conceived as the headquarters of the militia battalions that at that time were classified according to their member's skin color, white, or brown.

Cuartel de Milicias
General information
TypeMilitary
AddressMonserrate and Empedrado
Town or cityHavana
CountryCuba
Coordinates23.139564°N 82.356708°W / 23.139564; -82.356708
Opened1787
Technical details
Structural systemLoad bearing
MaterialMasonry
Floor count3
Design and construction
ArchitectAntonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar

History

Eventually, the white and brown militias were transferred to Guanabacoa and the building acquired the nickname "Cuartel de Morenos" (dark). It had this function until 1844 and from this year it was assigned to other military dependencies. Its plan is trapezoidal, adapted to the shape of the land determined by the layout of the streets. Although it has been transformed, in general, it still retains its two maximum values: the central courtyard enclosure with a perimeter portico on both floors.

Architecture
Plan Cuartel de Milicias, Havana, Cuba

Its plan is trapezoidal, adapted to the shape of the land in Old Havana determined by the layout of Calles Monserrate and Empedrado. It was built by the architect Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar who was the architect of Palacio de los Capitanes Generales[lower-alpha 1]. Although it has been transformed, it still conserves its two maximum values: the central courtyard enclosure with a perimeter arcade on both floors, and the main doorway with its mixtilinear garrison, located on the chamfered corner and attributed to Pedro de Medina.[2]

Notes
  1. Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar. 18th-century architect, colonel of engineers in the Spanish army, author of some of the most notable Havana buildings of the colonial era.[1]

References
  1. "Antonio Fernández de Trebejos y Zaldívar". Retrieved 2022-03-06.
  2. "Cuartel de Milicias (La Habana)". Retrieved 2022-03-05.
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