Plaza de la Revolucion Jose Marti, a place to go

“Plaza de la Revolucion” (Revolution’s Square) is more than the monument dedicated to the national Cuban Hero, Jose Marti, and the long obelisk that stands behind it.

Other nearby buildings are part of this emblematic ensemble of the Cuban capital; including the National Library, Minister of the Armed Forces, Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Computer and Communications — in these two last Ministries are placed the relief figures of the legendary guerrilla fighters Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.

To the esplanade that extends between these buildings, arrive every day, dozens of travelers in classic cars, taxi, bus, even on bicycles, to take pictures of the details of the place that witnessed the visits of the three popes to Cuba — in 1998, 2006 and 2015 — of Concert for Peace in 2009 — with Latin artist like Juanes and Olga Tanon as promoters and protagonists of the event — and many other concerts and cultural events.

The number of constructions and stories that form the Plaza de la Revolucion Jose Marti, make it another of those wonders of Havana that we recommend not to miss.

Knowing about “La Raspadura”

Many visitors think that the Revolution Square was inaugurated after 1959, but it wasn’t, the project dates from previous decades. First, an international contest was convened to raise a monument to Jose Marti in that area of Havana, in a place where before was “Ermita de los Catalanes” (Catalan’s Hermitage).

In 1952, just before to the centenary of the birth of Jose Marti, a commission decided that the most feasible project to make was the one that had remained in third place. Thus, it seems that the money did not reach at all and the organizers had to go to a popular fundraiser to bring the work to fruition.

Therefore, it was the admiration of the Cuban people to his National Apostle what allowed that homage to exist. The square was called Civic Square until 1961.

As of July 16 of that year began to be officially called Plaza of the Revolution Jose Marti, although in Cuba it is simply called “the square” or “la raspadura”, due to the likeness of the obelisk of 141 meters high with homemade sweets and cheap made from sugar cane, very popular in other decades. It is worth clarifying that the form of scrape is seen from below, but observed from the sky the square is star-shaped.

At the base of the obelisk, it’s located the Jose Marti Memorial, presided over by the imposing figure of the Apostle. Inside, it call the visitors attention a Venetian ceramic mural that reads 89 texts written by Marti in metal letters laminated in ten-carat gold. If you’re imagining it beautiful and impressive, believe me it’s both and it’s better to come and see it than read it.

In the memorial, there are exhibition halls, sale of books and there is, above all, the specialized tour that will turn the visit into something instructive and unforgettable.

The climax of this extraordinary experience is the viewpoint, at the top of the obelisk. The visitors will enjoy a panoramic view of the city; this is the highest point of Havana, one of those places from where the beauty of the Cuban capital reaches its highest splendor.

Its surroundings

Around the Revolution Square there are important buildings that are very important for the administration of the Cuban state.

Work of the architect Jose Perez Benitoa, The current Palace of Government or Palace of the Revolution it was before the Palace of Justice, while the actual place of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces is located in the formerly Havana City Council.

Since 1957, Jose Marti National Library is located just a few meters from the Revolution Square, depository of the heritage documentary, bibliographic, artistic and sonorous of the country.

The library was founded in 1901 and various intellectuals like Antonio Bachiller y Morales, Francisco Sellen, Manuel Perez Beato, and his first director, Don Domingo Figarola Caneda donated valuable copies and originals to their founds. Of course, one hundred and seventeen years later these funds have grown very much, in a qualitative and quantitative way.

Other buildings that prestige the surroundings of the Square are the National Theater and the old National Lottery income, converted in 1959 at the National Institute of Savings and Housing (INAV) and now at days is the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

Finally but not least important, I have leaved the Ministries of the Interior and the Minister of Informatics and Communications, because they exhibit, in their facades, the sculptural reliefs of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, respectively.

The painter, designer, sculptor and Cuban engraver Enrique Avila Gonzalez made these two art works. In 1993 was placed the Che relieve at the Minister of Interior and in 2009 Camilo’s relieve on the facade of the Minister of Informatics and Communications.

Both are made of metal, weigh 16 tons and are 20 meters wide. The only difference is that Che’s sculpture is 40 meters high and Camilo’s 36 meters.

The steel sculptures are accompanied by memorable phrases from these fighters: “Hasta la Victoria siempre” (Always to victory) written with the calligraphy of Che Guevara and “Vas bien Fidel” (You go well Fidel) answer given by Camilo to a question of Fidel Castro on January 8, 1959.

As a curiosity: The monumental sculpture of Camilo was made with more than ten thousands of pieces screwed with industriousness of ants, and the star on Che’s forehead, although from below it seems small, its two point five meters high and is made of brass.

At least, the visitors only remains to know that the sculptural reliefs of Che and Camilo are the snapshots that those who visit the square prefer, especially at night. Yes, because the lighting is placed in a specific way that make the images of both heroes enhance in the middle of the whole of the square.

A luxury location

So you know, to Plaza de la Revolucion Jose Marti you can arrive by classic car, taxi, bus, and even on foot or riding a bicycle.

This essential place is a few minutes from Vedado, Havana Centro and Old Havana; so after visiting the Plaza, to enjoy its images and its history, it will be very easy to choose the way to continue your walk.

Originally published at havanaprivatesuite.com.