Crumbling Elegance: Decay in the Heart of Old Havana
Once a Marquise's Home, Now a House in Chaos
In the heart of Old Havana, on Villegas Street, stands a house that has seen better days. A century ago, this two-story gem boasted high ceilings, wrought iron railings, semicircular arches, and white marble-clad stairs. Local legend even suggests it belonged to a marquise. However, the reality today couldn't be further from its glorious past.
A House Unraveled
Inside this six-family unit, chaos reigns. Tree roots protrude through makeshift walls, doubling as nesting spots for birds. The upper floors lean precariously, and rubble and fresh sand litter the area. Walls appear to tilt, while the façade has vanished, revealing a courtyard with freshly washed laundry.
This house isn't an isolated case. Many similar once-luxurious homes in Cuba have faced partial collapse or visible damage in recent years. Just yards away on Villegas Street, another building crumbled, resulting in three tragic deaths.
A Plea for Help
Residents have repeatedly reached out to authorities, but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Years of neglect, harsh weather, and a deepening economic crisis exacerbate the fear that their homes may soon disintegrate.
Maricelys Colás, a retired 64-year-old who's lived in the house for nearly six decades, shares her apprehension, "How can we not live in fear? Every time it rains, I feel like small pebbles come falling down on me. And a collapse doesn't warn you."
Government's Dilemma
The Cuban government acknowledges the housing deterioration problem but cites a lack of resources as the obstacle to addressing it. Nevertheless, many Cubans question why investments in tourism megaprojects, like hotels, haven't slowed down to tackle this housing crisis.
A Once-Grand Legacy
Built at the end of the 18th century or the start of the 19th, this house spans roughly 50 feet wide and 200 feet deep. Three families reside on the ground floor, while the upper floor, showing severe decay, houses three more families. Cracks abound, and the staircase creaks.
The Marquise of Pinar del Río supposedly owned the house, although this claim couldn't be verified. Nonetheless, its elegant design speaks to a grand history.
A Moldy Reality
Residents report their grievances to the government, requesting relocation or materials for repairs, yet they've received no response.
The housing crisis in Cuba is a major challenge. A humid climate, frequent hurricanes, poor maintenance, and a low completion rate for new homes top the list of complaints. Cuba's housing director, Vivian Rodríguez, revealed an 800,000-home deficit, especially in Havana, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, and Camagüey.
A Critical Situation
Abel Tablada, a professor at the Technological University of Havana, says rebuilding and restoring collapsed buildings require resources the Cuban state currently lacks during this acute crisis.
For the residents of Villegas Street, they can only sigh about the fate of their former mansion, with one resident wryly jesting, "If those marquises came back to life and saw this house, they would surely die again."