Arco de Belén, Havana

The Arco de Belén, constructed in 1775 by Pedro Medina, is a historic tunnel in Old Havana that forms part of the Convent and Church of Nuestra Señora de Belén. This site is notable for being the first baroque building in the area, completed in 1718 under the direction of the Order of Bethlemites. The convent also once housed the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, which relocated to Miami after the Cuban Revolution. Today, the Arco de Belén serves as a residence for the elderly, supported by the Office of the Historian of Old Havana, making it a unique blend of history and community service in a vibrant cultural setting.