At the beginning of Calle Oficios is this remarkable stone sculpture depicting religious symbols and images. Far from being devout though, this represents a warm welcome to those arriving from sea and is historically significant since it calls to mind all those who travelled to the New World in the 16th century during dangerous times.

About New World Sculpture

New World Sculpture

Right next to Plaza San Francisco in Calle Oficios is this very odd looking stone sculpture set here in 2000.

Various religious images are depicted at the foot of the sculpture like the Shroud with Jesus’ face, the crucifixion and Adam and Eve among others.

In the 16th century, when “Globe trotters, seamen, adventurers, fortune-hunters of all type and ladies escaping from their husbands, arrived to San Cristobal de la Habana”, this place which was little more than a village began to be seen as the gateway to the New World.

            Ships came and went carrying all sorts of wealth around the globe. This sudden turn of luck also quickly led to Caribbean pirates of French, English and Dutch origins laying siege to these waters and attacking whenever the time was right. For obvious reasons then this added a certain degree of danger and risk for travelling in or out of Havana bay.

            Although very much a contemporary piece of art work this is meant to represent a more welcoming sign to those modern day sailors and anyone arriving from the sea.

References

Ediciones Niocia S.L., La Habana Vieja – Old Havana, 2004, p7.

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