Teniente Rey was originally called Basurero. The exposed aqueduct known as Zanja Real reveals a part of 16th century history built by Juan de Rojas and Francisco de Calona. The network extended for 11km until the 18th century when new work commenced.

About Teniente Rey Street

Teniente Rey Street

Like many of the streets in Old Havana the original name of this street was changed from Basurero which, incidentally means rubbish dump, until Teniente Rey meaning Lieutenant Street.

Constructed between 1565-1592 by Juan de Rojas – one of Cuba’s richest men, Havana’s aqueduct was known then as the Zanja Real.

The works were directed by Francisco de Calona and only arrived in Plaza de San Francisco some 27 years later due to the unstable terrain and hurricanes that interrupted work. The aqueduct was 11 km long and distributed water around the city in a large network of canals indicated on the map on the wall.

            As the city expanded rapidly new work was eventually undertaken between the 18-19th centuries and one of those who worked on the new aqueduct was Don Francisco de Albear Y Lara.

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