Plaza de San Francisco de Asís

A market was historically held in this square, which was eventually moved to the Plaza Vieja as the monks from the church complained of the noise.

[2] The Lonja del Comercio building on the north side of the square opened in 1909.

The iconic Fuente de los Leones, built by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Gaggini, was installed in 1836.

In 1761, José Martín Félix de Arrate, Mayor of Havana, considered the Plaza to be the best place in the city.

[3] Both the city hall (casas capitulares), police house, jailhouse and customs office faced the Plaza at the time.

The north side of the Plaza de San Francisco de Asís . The Lonja del Comercio is the rightmost building.
Fuente de los Leones, photo of 2003