The José Martí Memorial rises on the north side of the Plaza de la Revolución in Vedado, Havana. Construction began in 1953, the 100th anniversary of Martí's birth, and finished in 1958. Raoul Otero de Galarraga was chief architect, with Enrique Luis Varela and Jean Labatut as associates.
The tower is shaped like a five-pointed star and stands 358 feet (109 meters) tall. It is faced in grey Cuban marble from Isla de Pinos. In front sits a white marble statue of Martí, 59 feet (18 meters) tall, carved by Juan José Sicre. Martí's thoughts appear in gold glass mosaic tiles from Venice.
A museum on the ground floor holds his letters, writings and personal items. An elevator reaches an enclosed observation deck on the top floor, described as the highest point in Havana. Tourists can ascend, though ticket charges vary.
Comments