Casino Español de La Habana, commonly known as Casino Español or the Spanish Casino, was one of Havana's largest clubs. It was established in the 1860s by Spanish emigrants residing in Cuba as their sole recreational and social facility.
Casino Español de la Habana | |
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Alternative names | Spanish Casino |
General information | |
Architectural style | Renaissance Revival architecture |
Location | Marianao, Havana, La Habana Province, ![]() |
Coordinates | 23°8′22.42″N 82°21′34.03″W / 23.1395611°N 82.3594528°W |
Early history
editEarly records show that Captain-General De Rodas made a speech formalizing the foundation of the Casino Español in Havana on August 17, 1869.[1]
It was located in the Marianao area of Havana.[2] By 1886, the club boasted white marble floors, a ballroom for formal events, and a stage built for orchestras.[3] Along with dining options, a swimming pool, a gymnasium, and tennis and racketball courts, there was also a baseball field.[4]
Following the Cuban revolution, the recreational center was nationalized and renamed the José Ramón Rodríguez Social Worker Circle.
References
edit- ^ "Telegrams: CUBA - Opening of the Casino Espanol—Speech of the Captain-General". The New York Times. Havana. August 18, 1869. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Casino Español de La Habana seen from the beach. 1998-11-12. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://cdm17191.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/chc0170/id/3688. (Accessed May 26, 2024.)
- ^ "A Carnival Ball in Cuba". The New York Times. Havana. May 2, 1886. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
- ^ Gracia, J. J. E. (2020). Cuba Before Castro: A Century of Family Memoirs. United States: Hamilton Books.