Santiago de Cuba - Casa de Diego Velazquez / Museo de Ambiente Historico Cubano

On the Parque Cespedes is the Casa de Diego Velazquez which houses the Museo de Ambiente Historico Cubano. The conquistador and governor, Diego Velazquez lived in the upstairs portion of the house, while the lower level was used as a gold foundry, and a furnace for melting gold can still be seen. Built in the early 1500s, the Casa de Diego Velazquez is thought to be the oldest residence in Cuba, although this is still a matter of some debate. The house changed hands numerous times before becoming offices during the Revolution.

Beginning in 1965 the house underwent restoration work and is now the Museo de Ambiente Historico Cubano. The museum displays a large furniture collection from the 16th to 19th Centuries. Each room shows a different time period and the collections are quite impressive with glass wear and other household items in addition to furniture.