I've walked by this place more times than I can remember before finally going in to take a peek for just a moment. I enjoy chocolate but I'm not obsessed by it and at this location the cocoa byproduct is manufactured and sold....the place is always busy and sometimes has a lineup outside the door. The museum opened it's doors to the public November 5, 2003 and has been attracting visitors ever since. The money to restore the House of the Green Cross, former residence of the Counts of Lagunilla, came from joint contributions, the City Museum and Museum of Colonial Art with pieces donated by Gilbert Notredame, a master chocolatier, and madam Jo Draps. This building is the starting point of the Saint Via Crucis procession which takes place Good Friday of every year.
Within it's walls you'll find artifacts pertaining to the making and consuming of chocolate dating back centuries, some pieces donated by the inspiration to open this museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Cups from several countries, pots, bowls and molds as well as a complete history of chocolate from it's discovery in the Americas and it's relation to Cuba placed on panels on the walls of the museum. It's the only place in Havana offering such a tour.
Is it worth a visit? If you like chocolate, of course it is. If you're like me and don't care either way, it took me 10 years to go inside. It's free and it doesn't take up too much time, it's worth the few minutes it would take to look around. Everything is within a small space, the museum doubles as a store and it's always busy making and selling chocolate. The machines were mixing a batch of chocolate delight while I was there. Calle Mercaderes is a wonderful pedestrian thoroughfare lined with restaurants, shops and museums, this can easily fit into your schedule if you chose it to be on your route that day.
Museo del Chocolate
Calle Mercaderes y Amargura,
Habana Vieja,
Telephone: (7)866 4431.
Open: Monday - Sunday 10am - 8pm.
N/C to enter
Pay for your consumption
Within it's walls you'll find artifacts pertaining to the making and consuming of chocolate dating back centuries, some pieces donated by the inspiration to open this museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium. Cups from several countries, pots, bowls and molds as well as a complete history of chocolate from it's discovery in the Americas and it's relation to Cuba placed on panels on the walls of the museum. It's the only place in Havana offering such a tour.
Is it worth a visit? If you like chocolate, of course it is. If you're like me and don't care either way, it took me 10 years to go inside. It's free and it doesn't take up too much time, it's worth the few minutes it would take to look around. Everything is within a small space, the museum doubles as a store and it's always busy making and selling chocolate. The machines were mixing a batch of chocolate delight while I was there. Calle Mercaderes is a wonderful pedestrian thoroughfare lined with restaurants, shops and museums, this can easily fit into your schedule if you chose it to be on your route that day.
Museo del Chocolate
Calle Mercaderes y Amargura,
Habana Vieja,
Telephone: (7)866 4431.
Open: Monday - Sunday 10am - 8pm.
N/C to enter
Pay for your consumption
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