Havana Foundation Anniversary in Cuba Date in the current year: November 16, 2024

Havana is one of the oldest cities in the New World. It celebrated its 500th anniversary in 2019. In addition to being the capital of Cuba, it is the largest city (both by area and by population) and leading commercial center of the country.

The settlement of San Cristóbal de la Habana, named after Saint Christopher, was originally founded by Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez in 1515, during his contest of Cuba, but it wasn’t located where the present-day Havana is. The city was re-established in its present location on November 16, 1519.

The place where Habana was founded is marked by a magnificent ceiba tree. It is believed that the first town council meeting and the first religious mass took place under its shade. For centuries, the tree has been highly revered by locals for its supposed magical powers.

To commemorate the city’s foundation anniversary, many Havana residents walk around the tree three times in complete silence, touching the trunk and dropping a small coin on the ground at each turn. Some people perform this ritual to have their wishes come true, while others see at as a way to express gratitude for something good that has already happened to them.

Sometimes Havana foundation anniversary is erroneously referred to as Saint Cristóbal Day because the full name of Havana is San Cristóbal de la Habana. In fact, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of Saint Christopher on July 25, and it has nothing to do with the anniversary of the foundation of Havana.