At the Plaza de Quito in Madrid, there stands a monument dedicated to José Martí, a Cuban poet, journalist, orator and revolutionary who fought for Cuban independence from Spain. The monument, a gift from the Republic of Cuba to Madrid, is a public art piece and a public testament to a long-standing friendship between the two nations. Rising 7.90 meters high, it is made of steel and marble and weighs 15 tonnes. The front face of the monument displays a marble bust of José Martí, while the inscriptions on its flanks each carry a message.
One in Spanish reads, 'Madrid to José Martí (1853-1895) National Hero of Cuba', and the other a phrase brings the monument's image and message together: 'let's put around the star in the new flag this formula of triumphant love with all and for the good of all'. Standing at the base of the monument, one can't help but feel a sense of peaceful historical significance, an echo of the meetings, friendships, and shared memories in this space over the years between Spain and Cuba.
The monument was unveiled in October 1986, with Juan Barranco, the Mayor of Madrid, and Armando Hart, the Cuban Minister of Culture, in attendance. For anyone visiting the city, the monument is a must-see, a testament to history and a symbol of the enduring bond between the two countries.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
Written by Nik Frost
Discuss this with the author and others
No comments yet. Be the first to start the conversation.