Page 109 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

VED ADO AND PLAZA  107

8 Memorial José Martí

Work on this monument in the middle of the
Plaza de la Revolución began in 1953, on the
100th anniversary of the birth of Cuba’s
national hero. The memorial was finished in
1958. It consists of a 109-m (358-ft) tower
representing a five-pointed star and is built
of grey marble from the Isla de la Juventud.
At the foot stands a huge statue of José
Martí in a meditative pose. The actual Martí
Memorial is in the interior of the base, which
also houses the Sala de Actos, an auditorium . Panorama
used for concerts, lectures and poetry readings. On clear days, the mirador on top of
the tower, the highest point in Havana,
affords views covering the entire city
and stretching out to the sea.
A lift goes to the top of
the tower, which reaches a
height of 139 m (458 ft) –
the monument stands on
a hill 30 m (100 ft) above
sea level.
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Plaza de la Revolución. Map 2 E5.
Tel 7882 0906. Open 9:30am–
4:30pm Mon–Sat. & 8 =
Note: fee for photography applies.

. The Memorial
Two rooms contain manuscripts,
portraits and mementos of Martí; the
third room describes the history of the
monument and the square, while a
fourth puts on contemporary art
exhibitions. The mural in the lobby Statue of José Martí
features the patriot’s thoughts. The 18-m (59-ft) high, white
marble statue, carved on site
by Juan José Sicre, is surrounded
by six half columns.

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