Relics of the City I: Casa Havaneza

There are some places within cities that have marked a decade, an epoch, or a generation and which demonstrate the life of a city. Its disappearance would mean the end of a certain lifestyle or habit for many of the people of the city. Some of these relics have been preserved, as is the case of Casa Havaneza.

For more than 100 years, the Casa Havaneza has been selling the best cigars in the market. It has recently reopened its remodelled shop in the Chiado square, right next to the famous Café Brasileira. Visit this shop if you are a fan of a place filled with history and special pleasures. It is a great experience for those who love the luxury of tobacco and other delights, such as cognac or exclusive pipes.

History

At the time of its opening, the Casa Havaneza acted as an extra part to the Burnay Bank. Customers would walk into the bank in the Chiado square and ask for a loan and on the way out, they could purchase a fine smelling Cuban cigar. During the 1876 financial crisis, the Bank of Portugal referred to the Casa Havaneza for people who would like to exchange gold, as it had already run out at the Bank of Portugal. In 1940, the whole shop floor was remodelled, leaving the bank to one side, separated from the shop. Throughout the years, the Casa Havaneza shops can be seen in some of the biggest commercial centres in Lisbon, but the Chiado store is still one of the relics of the city centre. This shop has marked the lifestyle of this city to such an extent that so many famous writers have mentioned it in their works, including, Eça de Queirós and Guerra Junqueiro.

Cigars

Tobacco with Cuban origin has always been seen as one with a superior quality compared to the rest of the world. It is from Cuba that these delicious cigars come from. All sorts of brands of cigars are sold at Casa Havaneza, from the famous Cohibas, to the exclusive Montecristo. They are specially kept with “walking humidors” so that they are perfectly conserved with the required humidity and temperature. Casa Havaneza has created their own cigarillos (short and narrow cigars) as well as their own type of tobacco for pipes. Apart from the actual cigar, Casa Havaneza also sells many accessories including cigarette cases, lighters, humidifying boxes, pipes, or ash trays, all with the best quality and clean-cut classic designs.

Drinks

Casa Havaneza sells cognac, champagne, grappa, whisky, and port notably the best drinks to accompany the taste of a cigar. For the real taste of cigars to stand out, there is nothing better than a sweet flavoured drink with a hint of alcohol to bring out the flavours.  The softness and sweetness of some of these drinks allows for a more refined taste of the cigar.


Shopping places

Amoreiras Shopping Centre

Chiado

Colombo Shopping Centre