Capitolio

Built in the late 1920s, the Capitolo, a replica of the one in Washington, DC, once served as Cuba's Senate and House of Representatives.

It is a stunning architectural work of grand scale; it's actually a tiny bit taller and longer than the Washington version. There's not a whole lot to see here, but it's worth climbing the steep steps and taking a quick tour. Its scale and the intricately inlaid marble floors are very impressive. The entrance hall features a replica of a 25-carat diamond imbedded in the floor from which all highway distances. adiating out from Havana are measured. There's also the Statue of the Republic, a 56-foot-tall, 49-ton Roman goddess covered in gold leaf, which some claim is Jupiter.

You can walk around the old parliamentary hall and, if you're lucky, visit the library. Regular guided tours are offered for $1 per person. There are some arts and crafts galleries inside the Capitolio, as well as a simple restaurant and a popular Internet cafe.