If you’re heading to Havana (or Habana as the locals refer to it), chances are high that you’ll stroll through Old Havana’s (Habana Vieja’s) four historic plazas. Plaza Vieja (Old Square) is the crown jewel of the four plazas since it is home to some of Havana’s most stunning, and eclectic, architecture. Plaza Vieja was once filled with the private homes of Havana’s wealthy elite. Today you’ll find everything from coffee shops and even a microbrewery nestled in amongst some of Cuba’s finest stained glass windows.

 

IMG_6529
Havana’s Plaza Vieja – The Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards) is Located on the First Floor of the Building on the Right

 

Plaza Vieja’s oldest building is also home to the Museum of Playing Cards (Museo de Naipes).

 

IMG_7213
The Real House of Cards – Old Havana’s (Habana Vieja’s) Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards)

 

The museum is worthy of a gander since it is free and won’t take you much time to go through.

 

IMG_7214
Hold All the Cards – Cuba’s Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards) Has Cards that Date Back as Far as the 1800s

 

There are approximately 2,000 articles in the Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards) and all of them relate to playing cards.

 

IMG_7216
Show Your Cards – Antique Playing Cards as Well as Modern Cards Decorated with the Likes of Disney Characters Can be Found in Havana’s Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards)

 

In addition to decks of cards and solo cards, you’ll also discover postcards, prints, movie posters and just about anything else related to playing cards that you can imagine inside the museum.

 

IMG_7218
Calling Card – A Spanish Deck of Cards on Display in Cuba’s Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards)

 

While Cuban cards are definitely on display, you’ll also come across playing cards with Asian, French, German and Spanish style pieces in Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards). You’ll even spy tarot cards in the museum’s collection.

 

IMG_7215
Lay Your Cards on the Table – The Vast Collection of Cards on Display in Havana’s Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards) Are Mini Works of Art

 

Each playing card is treated like a well preserved mini work of art which leaves you with the impression that you’re viewing tiny canvases, not cards.  Whether you’re a true card shark, or even if playing cards and gambling aren’t your thing, stepping inside the Museo de Naipes (Museum of Playing Cards) is fun way to beat the brutal Havana heat.

 

IMG_7219
The Museum of Playing Cards (Museo de Naipes) in Old Havana (Habana Vieja), Cuba

 

Museum of Playing Cards (Museo de Naipes)
Muralla #101 (in Plaza Vieja)
Old Havana (Habana Vieja), Cuba
Hours: Tuesday Through Sunday 9:30am to 5:00pm
Pricing (All in Cuban Convertible Pesos or CUC): Admission to the Museum is Free