Camara Oscura

On the roof of the Gómez Vila building beside Plaza Vieja, Camara Oscura projects a live, 360-degree view of Old Havana into a dark room. Sunlight and mirrors bring the nearby streets and landmarks into view on a convex plate, while a guide explains how the device works and shares details about the city. The camera was the first of its kind in the Americas, and only five others are reported worldwide. After the short demonstration, head to the rooftop terrace for a wider look across Havana.

How the camera shows Havana

Inside a dark room, sunlight reaches a system of mirrors and reflects the surrounding city onto a convex plate. The result is a live view of Old Havana, seen from above and moving as the streets below change. The demonstration gives you a close look at how the optical effect works, rather than a still image or a conventional telescope view.

A guide explains the device and points out details of Havana’s past and present. Tours are also given in English. The demonstration is brief, so stay attentive during the projection and take time afterward to look around from the rooftop.

A rooftop landmark by Plaza Vieja

Camara Oscura sits on the top floor of the Gómez Vila building, an eclectic house dating from the early twentieth century, at a corner of Plaza Vieja. The camera was the first installed in the Americas. Five others are reported around the world, including examples in England, Spain and Portugal.

The roof terrace gives a broader view over Old Havana after the camera demonstration. The location makes it easy to combine the visit with time around Plaza Vieja, while the guided explanation adds context to the cityscape appearing in the dark room.