As described, this city, founded in 1528, provides a unique irregular urban layout plan with numerous squares dominated by religious buildings. Such irregular street design was likely needed to confuse and make life difficult for possible invaders (didn’t help as Henry Morgan burned the city).
There is in fact several squares dominated by a church or colonial building and connected by narrow streets. Our most favorite was Plaza del Carmen with lovely sculptures of locals doing everyday staff, like carrying famous clay pots or reading newspapers. It is also place for excellent Martha Jimenez Perez gallery. She is one of the most famous contemporaneous Cuban painter. We even purchased beautiful sketch for 80 CUCs.
In overall, decent city with its pluses and minuses, not star attraction, probably deserving WHS status.