Beautiful Decay: Cuba's Race To Save Havana's Historic Architecture

As part of her series on Cuba, WBUR's Andrea Shea traveled there on a "people-to-people" cultural tour where she reported on a Boston gallery owner’s “trade mission” to open U.S.-Cuba relations through art and the Cuban music scene.

As part of her reporting, Shea spoke to architect Ayleen Robaina, who calls Havana "a living museum." Robaina works with Havana's Office of the City Historian and has been leading the campaign to restore thousands of beautiful, decaying structures throughout Old Havana. While many historic buildings have been saved, countless others are too far gone and will continue to be ravaged by time, the weather and the island's salty ocean air. On a windy morning tour of Old Havana, the architect described her efforts and hopes for the future.

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WBUR Series: Cuba Opens Through Art: