Museo Napoleonico
Museo Napoleonico
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
281 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
76
Average
22
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Chris R
London, UK20 contributions
Mar 2020
Excellent museum, building and pleasant gardens. Fascinating how Napoleon captured the imagination of the Cuban 19th century wealthy, ideas of independence, sovereignty and a collecting mindset so that these historic artefacts were not lost. Well worth a visit.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RomeAnita
Rome41 contributions
Jan 2016 • Solo
The museum was almost empty which always makes me feel like I am personally discovering its treasures. Treasures indeed-huge porcelain vases with portraits of Napoleon, melodramatic bronze statues of a seated, defeated and depressed Napoleon: hundreds of books in a stunning upstairs library with magnificent views of the city of Havana and of the sea. There are beautiful vitrales on windows and doors(stained glass, characteristic of traditional Cuban architecture).The balconies and terraces have a Middle Eastern, Andalusian feel and everywhere there are flowers and marble statuettes of angelic adolescents. A definite respite from the cacophony of Central Havana.
Written January 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana L
49 contributions
Mar 2018
This is definately a museum to visit. Each floor has staff to watch everyone. When we went to the 2nd floor the staff member was very knowledgable and eager to share the history of all the furniture, paintings, architecture and the building itself and happy to answer any questions we had. She quietly and graciously asked for a tip, which kind of caught us off guard. We gave a tip but really it was worth it as she really took her time to with us review some of the art on the floor she was overseeing. The other staffers on the remaining floors didn't offer any information - not sure why not but maybe they weren't as knowledgeable or at least as smart as the other gal :) I wouldn't have mind giving a tip to the others if they were willing to share their knowledge. Visit the grounds afterwards - it's a nice way to end the tour.
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda A
Winnipeg, Canada324 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
After my visit to the Museo Napoleónico in Vedado, in July '14, it isn't difficult to understand why this is considered a favourite attraction in Havana.
The immense Florentine-styled building that houses the museum is elegant, indeed suitable for an emperor. The upper story terrace provides a great view of the surrounding area of Vedado, and a back courtyard contains a simple and serene space amidst Havana's bustle.
The massive collection of artifacts, pertaining to the Napoleonic era and a few from the man himself, was gathered over time by millionaire Julio Lobo Olavarría, and was opened to the public in 1961. This collection offers an amazing variety of objects in pristine condition, all tastefully presented in a spacious and well-maintained setting.
For military buffs, there are displays of uniforms, arms and regalia. For art, antique and history fans, memorabilia ranges from dishware, time pieces, personal effects, etc. Paintings are plentiful and some canvases will be familiar. Artworks are incorporated into other forms as well, .. enameled table tops, stained glass, statues and furniture, and plenty of it. The library's many bookshelves of vintage publications is very impressive. In the bedroom, you'll find a stately bed in the company of a regal-looking chamber pot! This room also contains Napoleon's death mask, made by his last physician.
Unfortunately for non-Spanish-speaking viewers, all description tags are in Spanish only, although there are a few English-speaking attendants on site.
A sign at the front desk that states no tipping is allowed, but you may expect otherwise.
Personally my only gripe about this facility is that, in a museum as beautiful and opulent as this one, why is it impossible to provide a toilet seat in the public washroom?
The immense Florentine-styled building that houses the museum is elegant, indeed suitable for an emperor. The upper story terrace provides a great view of the surrounding area of Vedado, and a back courtyard contains a simple and serene space amidst Havana's bustle.
The massive collection of artifacts, pertaining to the Napoleonic era and a few from the man himself, was gathered over time by millionaire Julio Lobo Olavarría, and was opened to the public in 1961. This collection offers an amazing variety of objects in pristine condition, all tastefully presented in a spacious and well-maintained setting.
For military buffs, there are displays of uniforms, arms and regalia. For art, antique and history fans, memorabilia ranges from dishware, time pieces, personal effects, etc. Paintings are plentiful and some canvases will be familiar. Artworks are incorporated into other forms as well, .. enameled table tops, stained glass, statues and furniture, and plenty of it. The library's many bookshelves of vintage publications is very impressive. In the bedroom, you'll find a stately bed in the company of a regal-looking chamber pot! This room also contains Napoleon's death mask, made by his last physician.
Unfortunately for non-Spanish-speaking viewers, all description tags are in Spanish only, although there are a few English-speaking attendants on site.
A sign at the front desk that states no tipping is allowed, but you may expect otherwise.
Personally my only gripe about this facility is that, in a museum as beautiful and opulent as this one, why is it impossible to provide a toilet seat in the public washroom?
Written December 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sita S
Havana, Cuba26 contributions
Mar 2020
Who would have thought to find such an incredible Napoleonic collection in Havana? The Italian Renaissance-style villa hosting it is truly impressive: an elegant treasure chest.
Written March 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kenbaines
Wrotham, UK539 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
Went for a walk to the museum, intending to go in but when we got there there appeared little to see. We did walk all around the outside and saw a number of revolutionary items.
Written April 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sijohnt
Staten Island, NY104 contributions
Feb 2019 • Friends
WOW!!!
Who knew that Habana would have such an excellent museum loaded with Napoleon artifacts and furniture from that era.
Who knew that Habana would have such an excellent museum loaded with Napoleon artifacts and furniture from that era.
Written February 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick c
Sint Maarten, St Martin / St Maarten216 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
in Havana most of their great museo,, have not much to show , mostly photos ( a lot old some yellowish.... ) - around Fidel himself....
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gunnersen
Odense, Denmark133 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
I have never seen so much dokumentation on Napoleon than in the libary in Museo Napoleonico. The numbers of artefacts regarding Napoleon are countless. The founder must have been a very special person.
Written April 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alicef1987
Bristol, UK56 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Loved our visit to the museum, was a stunning building and a lovely selection of beautifully put together artefacts. Very enjoyable!
Written March 31, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gonzalo d
Madrid, Spain
Hola Karen. Agradecerte la pequeña síntesis que realizas sobre el museo napoleónico de La Habana. Me gustaría saber,si fueras tan amable, si el museo dispone de alguna dirección de correo electrónico para contactar con ellos. Estoy intentando recopilar información de diferentes museos de Cuba y me esta resultando difícil encontrar formas de contacto de los mismos. Gracias de antemano, un cordial saludo. Gonzalo.
Written October 19, 2018
Hola Gonzalo! Soy Gabriela no Karen pero no es importante. El museo no tiene, al menos que yo sepa, dirección de correo. Igualmente podés encontrar información en EcuRed. La dirección del Museo es San Miguel esquina Ronda (exactamente frente a una de las entradas laterales de la Universidad de La Habana). En el sitio EcuRed encontrarás mucha información sobre museos y distintos lugares de Cuba. Espero te haya sido útil mi respuesta. Que lo disfrutes!!!!
Written October 19, 2018
Hola, las entradas para turistas cuestan 5 CUC (equivalente aproximadamente a 5 USD).
Written January 24, 2017
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