It was conceived, by the principal engineer Alfonso Rodríguez Pichardo, according with the latest trends for art displaying, conservation and restoration of the epoch and considered one of the best museums of the western hemisphere. The 3 stories are communicated by stairs, ramps, and elevators and are distributed around an inner yard surrounded by galleries at the main floor. The façades are decorated with murals and big sculptures made by Rita Longa, while the vestibule or entrance hall display the mural and “bajo relieves” made by Jesús Casagrán and Enrique Caravia. The facade’s balcony was made by Mateo Torriente Becker. It was inaugurated in 1954, by the president Batista, for the 2nd American-Spanish Biennial celebrated in honour of José Martí. The building occupies the former location of the Colón Market –former gunpowder warehouse-
National Museum of Fine Arts
