Statue of Cecilia Valdes

Down a crooked side street,

tucked in the middle of downtown

Havana

is a quiet, small plaza that sits under the watchful eye of the Iglesia del Santo Angel Custodio.

Near the steps of the church stands a bronze woman in vintage clothing, holding a fan, appearing to have just left the sanctuary. She is Cecilia Valdes, the title heroine of the massively popular book baring her name published during the 19th-century. A famous scene from the book is set in this location. The novel has inspired operas, literary retellings, and a feature film. It has also been considered the most important novel regarding 19th-century

Cuba,

and has never been out of print in Spanish.

The plaza itself is also home to several small cafes, making it the perfect place to get a quiet bite to eat.