Fending off Pirates -
Havana's "El Morro" Castle
After suffering attacks at the hands of pirates, privateers and French Corsairs in the 1500's, Spanish settlers on the island of Cuba found themselves vulnerable to invasion. When associates of pirate Francois Le Clerc (also known as Peg Leg) sacked and burned Havana to the ground in 1555, a Spanish royal decree laid the foundation for a new defensive strategy.
In his fascinating book, "Havana: Autobiography of a City," journalist Alfredo José Estrada chronicles the development of the young settlement's fortifications - efforts that led to the birth of a great city.
The Real Fuerza fortress was the first major Spanish attempt to guard Havana harbor. While it seems to have deterred Sir Francis Drake and his fearsome armada of twenty-two ships in 1586, the Spaniards still feared future attacks.
To fortify the Real Fuerza, King Philip II ordered the construction of a new defensive structure in 1588. El Morro, a state-of-the-art fortress, would protect Havana for centuries.
"Designed by the celebrated Italian military architect, Giovanni Baptista Antonelli, [El Morro's] polygonal walls contain two landward bastions with a deep moat. The battery guarding the channel is known as Los Doce Apostoles (The 12 Apostles)."
Estrada says to this day, El Morro remains the most visible symbol of Havana. "It is to the city what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, or the Coliseum is to Rome, framed in countless postcards sent back to Barcelona, Chicago or Kiev."
If you want to read more fascinating Cuban history, "Havana: Autobiography of a City" is available on www.OldHavanaFoods.com ($14.95 plus $5.99 shipping).
Authentic Old Havana Foods
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Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Old Havana Foods - We're Open!
(Chicago) Dec. 2008 - Authentic Cuban Style
People go "loco" when they taste our famous all-natural, easy-to-prepare Cuban classics - and we want to spread the joy! So we're launching this blogspot dedicated to great Old Havana-style cooking, photographs, film, documentaries, stories and centuries-old recipes.
And we'll give you great advice for preparing authentic Cuban-style food in your own home.
But if you don't feel like working in the kitchen - let us do the cooking! we invite you to visit OldHavanaFoods.com to order all-natural stovetop-meals - delivered fresh to your door. Cubans like to call it 'Cantina." We think you'll call it the best gourmet Cuban food you've ever tasted. The whole family (young and old) will love the authentic Old Havana flavor!
Once you try our famous "frijoles negros" (black Beans), you'll never go back to plain and boring beans. Our centuries-old recipes and seasonings are legendary.
Vegetarians especially love our one-of-a-kind flavor. Our high-protein black beans with minerals and natural fiber are a delicious meat alternative!
We hope you'll enjoy our food, real-life stories and deep appreciation for Old Havana. We want to help preserve the rich culinary and arttistic tradtions of Cuban culture and share our treasures with families across Chicago and North America.
Muchas gracias! And blessed holidays to you and your loved ones,
The Old Havana Family
Chicago, IL
People go "loco" when they taste our famous all-natural, easy-to-prepare Cuban classics - and we want to spread the joy! So we're launching this blogspot dedicated to great Old Havana-style cooking, photographs, film, documentaries, stories and centuries-old recipes.
And we'll give you great advice for preparing authentic Cuban-style food in your own home.
But if you don't feel like working in the kitchen - let us do the cooking! we invite you to visit OldHavanaFoods.com to order all-natural stovetop-meals - delivered fresh to your door. Cubans like to call it 'Cantina." We think you'll call it the best gourmet Cuban food you've ever tasted. The whole family (young and old) will love the authentic Old Havana flavor!
Once you try our famous "frijoles negros" (black Beans), you'll never go back to plain and boring beans. Our centuries-old recipes and seasonings are legendary.
Vegetarians especially love our one-of-a-kind flavor. Our high-protein black beans with minerals and natural fiber are a delicious meat alternative!
We hope you'll enjoy our food, real-life stories and deep appreciation for Old Havana. We want to help preserve the rich culinary and arttistic tradtions of Cuban culture and share our treasures with families across Chicago and North America.
Muchas gracias! And blessed holidays to you and your loved ones,
The Old Havana Family
Chicago, IL
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