Eusebio Leal

Eusebio Leal Spengler (11 September 194231 July 2020) was a Cuban historian. He served as the municipal historian of Havana, as well as the director of the restoration project of Old Havana. Under his oversight, the historic centre of the capital city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He also authored books and hosted radio and television programs that recounted the city and its history.

Early life Leal was born in Havana on 11 September 1942. He was raised by a single mother, who was a washerwoman and cleaner. He dropped out of school during grade six in order to support the two of them. Although he did not receive further formal schooling, he passed the university entrance exam through self-learning. He studied at the University of Havana, obtaining a master's degree in Latin American, Caribbean, and Cuban studies and a doctorate of historical science from the same institution. During his studies, he would read in the small museum run by Emilio Roig de Leushenring, to whom he was introduced in 1962. situated on the Plaza de Armas. and was not liable to tax on its profits. and La Habana, ciudad antigua (Havana, ancient city, 1988).

Personal life Leal was a close friend of Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl. Nonetheless, he eschewed making open political expressions, preferring to identify himself as a "Fidelist" rather than a Marxist.

Leal died on the morning of 31 July 2020. In 2017, he received both the Order of Isabella the Catholic from the Spanish government, as well as the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Subsequently, during a visit to Cuba by Felipe VI of Spain in November 2019, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III. Leal served as guide to both Felipe and Queen Letizia during their tour of Old Havana.

In addition to those from his home country, Leal received honorary degrees from universities in Chile,

Other honours Source: Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, Gold Star Order of Merit for Distinguished Services of the Republic of Peru, Grand Cross Order of Merit of the Republic of Colombia, Commander Order of Academic Palms of France, Officer Order of the Arts and Letters of France

Awards Source: International Architecture Prize Philippe Rothie of Belgium 2002 Prize of the Association for the Management of the Urban Centers AGECU in the Section of Latin American Initiative, Valencia, Spain First Prize to the Restoration of the city of Alcalá de Henares Prize ARPAFIL of the International Book Fair of Guadalajara 2002 Prize of the city of Barcelona of 1998 Prize of the city of Valencia Prize Arthur Posnansky granted by the Presidency of the Republic of Bolivia Prize of the Royal Foundation of Toledo for the Rehabilitation of the Historical Center of Havana, in an act presided over by the King of Spain Golden Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, Poland Commemorative medal on the 1300 years of the Bulgarian State Commemorative medal on the 40th Anniversary of the Victory over Fascism of the People's Republic of Bulgaria Commemorative medal on the 40th Anniversary of the Victory over Fascism of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic Pablo Neruda Medal of Presidential Honor, Republic of Chile Victor Hugo Medal of UNESCO Henry Hope Reed Award, 2016