Spain honors renowned Cuban historian Eusebio Leal

November 1, 2019

Spain grants the historian of the city of Havana, Eusebio Leal, the Grand Cross of the Royal and Distinguished Spanish Order of Charles III, the highest of the civil orders of this European country.

Just 11 days before the State visit that Kings Felipe VI and Letizia will make to Cuba, the Council of Ministers approved this Thursday a royal decree by which it confers upon Leal the aforementioned distinction, one of the oldest in the world.

The degree of Grand Cross that is granted to the historian of the Cuban capital is the second most important, only behind the Collar of the order.

Leal Spengler (1942) already possesses other Spanish decorations, among them the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, granted by the Government in 2017.

Instituted by Ferdinand VII in 1815, the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic is one of the principal distinctions that are granted in Spain.

It recognizes 'those extraordinary behaviors of a civil character, carried out by Spanish and foreign persons', that redound to the benefit of this nation or contribute to favoring its relations of friendship and cooperation with the rest of the international community.

Doctor in Historical Sciences and Master in Archaeological Sciences, Leal stands out in a particular way for directing the restoration works of the Historic Center of Havana, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1982.

Throughout his long professional career, the also Cuban intellectual, politician, essayist and researcher was decorated with numerous medals and recognitions by institutions from different countries in Europe and Latin America.