Havana, November 13 (RHC)-- Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain began the second day of their State visit to Cuba visiting El Templete, a monument that remembers the first mass celebrated in Havana in 1519.

The City Historian, Eusebio Leal, explained details about the construction and the surrounding Plaza de Armas, and escorted Don Felipe VI and Dona Letizia to the Palace of the General Captains -currently, the City Museum-, where on arrival they were photographed under the balcony of the Palace where the embroidered Havana Coat of Arms hung.

The velvet was manufactured in the Royal Tapestry Factory of Madrid and donated by their Majesties on the occasion of the visit and the 500th anniversary of Havana.

Next, inside the building, the King received from the president of the Provincial Assembly of the Popular Power, Reinaldo García Zapata, "La Giraldilla", a sculpted figure that symbolizes the city of Havana.

After the visit to the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales,  Don Felipe presented the Great Cross of Carlos III to Eusebio Leal.

After receiving such a high distinction, Leal made a brief speech in which he referred to the importance of keeping in mind the concepts of Homeland and Nation and recalled the historical links between Spain and Cuba.

The Historian of Havana affirmed that part of the culture and idiosyncrasy of the Caribbean island is a result of the Spanish presence in the national territory.

Then, in statements to the press, he stressed the indeclinable commitment to continue working on the restoration of emblematic sites in Havana, with the support of the different forms of cooperation to "continue displaying to the world one of the most beautiful works of Hispanic American architecture and, at the same time, serve as a source of pride and moral strength for the Cuban people.”