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San Francisco de Asis El Nuevo
On the corner of Calle Cuba and Amagura is this church of San Francisco de Asis El Nuevo. The façade retains highly ornamental Mexican Baroque architecture. These characteristics are also repeated around the portico and lateral elements such as the side chapels. There are certain examples of neoclassical influences particularly around the triangular pediments.
This building was erected in 1633 and dedicated to St Agustin and therefore also known as the Iglesia de San Agustín. After a lengthy restoration by locals and led under the direction of Padre Juan Pujana, it was eventually re-consecrated in 1842 after a Franciscan order from Mexico took control of the complex. The order had recently lost their tenancy in nearby Iglesia de San Francisco de Asís. After some deliberation though St Agustin’s was consecrated again in 1925 and dedicated this time to San Francisco de Asis El Nuevo (The New St Francis of Asissi Church).
Inside of course, the church retains a notable Mexican flavor as a direct influence from the Mexican Franciscans; ochre pillars display wonderful illustrations and intricate designs, haunting frescoes and a gorgeously painted inner dome are equally impressive. A marble pulpit next to the main altar is adorned with holy figures probably reminiscent of the Franciscan order.
Recent restoration works have been carried out by the city’s Culture and Heritage office and still continue. The Basque artist Juan Guraya also seems to have played a significant role here although only in 1947 when he was supposed to have been here.
Apparently, recent excavations at the back of the church in a small patio have uncovered archeological remains of a monk’s grave. As yet there are no plans to open this area to the public.
At the very back of the church is this large mural and altar. The mural was the result of a collaboration with the Asociacion Vasco-Navarra de Beneficencia and dated 1955. The altar below it was erected by the Comite del Damas Vasco Navarra de Beneficencia, that included the following women: Manolita Uriarte, Pilar Alonso, Carmen Landa, Pilar Azqueta, Chatin Isasi and their President Venancio Zabaleta Aramburu.
References
http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/a_tour_of_old_havana_churches_courtesy_of_eusebio_leal
http://www.oldhavanaweb.com/churches_and_convents/convento_de_santa_clara_de_asis.htm
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