AREQUIPA, Peru – Chorro Alley, located in the heart of the historic neighborhood of Old Havana, is an iconic corner that holds centuries of history and culture. This narrow cobblestone passage connects the Plaza de la Catedral with other surrounding streets, witnessing the hustle and bustle of daily life in the city. since colonial times.
The name of the alley comes from an old water source that supplied water to the residents of the area in the 17th century, when the first aqueduct systems were rudimentary. The “chorro” was a hydraulic channel more than 11 km long that since 1592 started from the Almendares River, bringing water to the city.
Originally, the Plaza de la Catedral was called “Plaza de la Ciénaga” (Ciénaga Square), since Cubans came there to get water, which caused the dirt ground to become muddy, giving it the appearance of a quagmire.
The precious liquid arrived thanks to a water arm of The Royal Ditch which ran the entire length of the street, as indicated by the inscription placed that year by Governor Juan de Texeda.
The tombstone that evokes the memory is still preserved. its immemorial function: “In this Callejón del Chorro the Ditch that supplied the city in the year 1592 as an aqueduct spilled.”
This canal stopped supplying drinking water to Havana from within the walls in 1835, when the Fernando VII canal was inaugurated. The canals that reached the Callejón stopped working from that moment on, leaving free the entire space now occupied by the house at San Ignacio #68.
Today, the Chorro Alley is more than just a passageIt is a vibrant cultural space, surrounded by art workshops, galleries and restaurants. In particular, the Taller Experimental de Gráfica de La Habana, located in the same alley, is an important center of artistic production, where local artists work and exhibit their works.
The alley has become a point of reference for lovers of Cuban art and culture, who can enjoy a bohemian and relaxed atmosphere while exploring the creations of talented Cuban artists. Also nearby is the impressive Havana Cathedral.
