RESTORATION OF THE HAVANA CATHEDRAL OCULUS
DONOR LEGACY OPPORTUNITIES
PART OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CATHEDRAL
The opportunity:
The Cuba Foundation has been selected by the Archdiocese of Havana—owner of and responsible for the Havana Cathedral—to organize and fund the restoration of its iconic stained-glass oculus. Multiple glass panels are missing, the frame is severely deteriorated, and timely restoration is essential to protect both the window and the Cathedral it illuminates. This project will preserve one of Cuba’s most important cultural icons for future generations. With your collaboration, we restore the window’s beauty, prevent further damage, and honor the Cuban artisans whose craftsmanship will bring the oculus back to life.
The Archdiocese of Havana is entirely independent of the Cuban government. The work will be carried out exclusively by Cuban private-sector companies and qualified independent artisans. This project will provide a visible, historic example of how philanthropy can support local entrepreneurs while simultaneously protecting the cultural heritage of both Cuba and the Church.
The new oculus will be installed in conjunction with the Archdiocese’s celebrations marking the Cathedral’s 250th anniversary in April 2027.
Why the Cathedral Matters:
• Built between 1748 and 1777; its 250th anniversary will be commemorated in 2027.
• Offers daily Mass and other religious services to its parishioners.
• Christopher Columbus was interred there from 1796 to 1898.
• Located in the historic heart of Old Havana.
• An exceptional example of Baroque architecture in the Americas.
• Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982.
• Hosted Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis, as well as Pope Leo XIV prior to his accession to the papacy; the restoration aims to be completed in time for any future papal visit.
The restoration plan:
The project’s primary objective is clear: to restore the oculus with historical sensitivity, high-quality materials, and the craftsmanship of Cuba’s private sector. Previous attempts to repair or restore the oculus—including work carried out prior to Pope John Paul II’s 1998 visit to Havana—were hampered by inadequate materials and techniques.
At its widest point, the oculus measures nearly 9 feet (2.7 meters). The work program encompasses historical research and documentation, the sourcing of necessary materials from private-sector suppliers, a comprehensive restoration aligned with best practices in historic preservation, and meticulous documentation for future stewardship. Antique Cuban mahogany—a dense, durable hardwood—will be used for the frame, replacing the existing lower-quality wood.
Our fundraising goal is to cover the full cost of restoring the oculus—including materials, equipment, project management, skilled labor, and related expenses—so that the Cathedral may continue to serve as a place of welcome, worship, and beauty for all who enter.
Complementary artistic project:
Since the oculus must be dismantled before the restoration is complete, the opening will need to be temporarily covered and sealed for approximately four to five months. During this period, The Cuba Foundation will work with the Archdiocese of Havana and a respected Havana-based curator to select a Cuban artist whose temporary work will help maintain visual interest, foster public engagement, and highlight the Cathedral’s 250th anniversary. The art installation will be dramatically illuminated at night and will serve as a symbol of hope for the Cuban people during difficult times of sacrifice and uncertainty.
Support for the Cathedral community:
This campaign will also help fund a portion of the operating expenses for the Cathedral’s preschool center. Located within the adjacent Padre Félix Varela Cultural Center, the preschool has been in operation for ten years and serves between 25 and 35 four-year-olds annually—many from families living in difficult circumstances near the Cathedral. It is run by nuns, offers classroom and recreational activities as well as three meals a day, and is funded exclusively through private donations.
Custody, compliance, and accountability:
All funds raised will be held by the Cuba Foundation until disbursements are required to cover documented project expenses. We have obtained a legal opinion from U.S. counsel confirming that the activities contemplated by this project comply with applicable U.S. legal requirements, including relevant OFAC general licenses for support for the Cuban people, humanitarian projects, private foundation activities, informational materials, and religious activities.
Recognition of donors:
The most significant benefit of contributing is the legacy your donation helps secure. By helping to restore this historic landmark, you ensure that the Cathedral continues to serve the faithful, community members, and visitors, offering beauty and inspiration for years to come. The donor benefits listed below are offered as a token of gratitude for that lasting contribution.
Donations to this project are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Donors contributing $250 or more (the IRS Section 501(c)(3) threshold) will receive a written acknowledgment from our fiscal sponsor, Give2Cuba, a U.S. non-profit corporation that has provided humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba for over 15 years.
Padre Félix Varela Society: $5,000 or more
Donors at this level will receive a limited-edition handcrafted humidor or jewelry box, designed and produced by Humidores Duyos—one of Cuba’s leading private humidor manufacturers—in collaboration with the Cuba Foundation. Each piece will be crafted from antique Cuban mahogany and feature an iconic design of the Cathedral incorporated into its lid.
Bishop Espada Circle: $2,500
Donors at this level may choose to receive a photograph from one of ten limited-edition series by acclaimed Cuban photographer Julio Larramendi Joa, taken from his most recent book, Catedral de la Habana: Historia y Arquitectura (De Templo Jesuíta a Sede del Obispado). Each series is limited to five photographs, and each photograph is signed, stamped, and dated by the photographer. Please see the book’s front cover and front flap, as well as the back cover and back flap, at the end of this document.
Order of Saint Christopher: $1,000
Donors at this level will receive a limited-edition scale model of the Oculus, designed for display in a home or office window. A total of 100 pieces will be produced. The glass used for each model will come from the same batch used in the restoration.
In Addition:
All donors of $1,000 or more will be invited—ideally during the Cathedral’s 250th-anniversary celebrations—to a special reception for donors and collaborators, as well as to attend a special Mass in their honor and take a private tour of the Cathedral and the Children’s Center.
All donors of $500 or more will receive a signed copy of the aforementioned book—featuring approximately 200 images—which was printed in Spain and offers a richly detailed record of the Cathedral’s religious, social, architectural, and artistic history. No funds used to print the book will be transferred to Cuba. The book’s author is Alicia García Santana, a Guggenheim Fellow and visiting researcher at the Getty Foundation, widely recognized as Cuba’s foremost architectural historian. The photographer is Julio Larramendi Joa, Cuba’s leading photographer of the island’s landscapes, architecture, and people.
The names of all donors contributing $100 or more will be listed on a special honor roll, unless they request to remain anonymous.
How to donate:
Donors can make contributions through this website. In addition, we can work with donors to accept gifts of appreciated securities or works of art, depending on their tax circumstances. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Ready to contribute or have questions? If you are interested in contributing to the success of this historic project but have questions, please write to: Administrator@cuba-foundation.org
Havana Cathedral: History and Architecture (From Jesuit Church to Seat of the Bishopric). 2026.
Make a Difference Today!
The Cuba Foundation is a New York State not-for-profit corporation dedicated to fostering development initiatives that directly help the Cuban people. Our mission is powered by your generosity. We are a fiscally sponsored project of Give2Cuba, a Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that raises funds in the United States, provides humanitarian and other assistance to Cuba, and supports philanthropic groups, such as us, with important administrative services. Donors who wish to fund the work of the Cuba Foundation do so by donating to Give2Cuba through the donation box on this page. As required by law, Give2Cuba shall provide donors with a record of their contributions. Such donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. Join our journey. Your donations matter.