Monument to Cuba (Madrid) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
*Cuba*

Coordinates	40°25′04″N 3°40′51″W / 40.417806°N 3.680936°W / 40.417806; -3.680936
Location	El Retiro, Madrid, Spain
Designer	Mariano Benlliure Miquel Blay Francisco Asorey Juan Cristóbal [es]
Material	Limestone, granite, bronze
Beginning date	1929
Completion date	1930
Opening date	27 October 1952
Dedicated to	Cuba

The Monument to Cuba is a beautiful public artwork in Madrid, Spain. It features a fountain with a group of sculptures. At the very top, there is a statue representing Cuba. You can find this monument in the famous El Retiro Park.

Building the Monument to Cuba
- Who Designed the Monument?
- What Was the Original Plan?
What Does the Monument Look Like?
- Figures on the Pedestal
- Unique Details and Animals
When Was the Monument Opened?
- The Unveiling Ceremony
Images for kids
See also

Building the Monument to Cuba

The idea for this monument started around 1928. A leader named Miguel Primo de Rivera supported the project. In 1929, the city council of Madrid, called the Ayuntamiento de Madrid, agreed to build a monument honoring Cuba.

Who Designed the Monument?

Mariano Benlliure was the main director for building the monument. He had help from other talented sculptors. These included Miquel Blay, Francisco Asorey, and Juan Cristóbal. Most of the work happened between 1929 and 1930. By 1930, only the large fountain was still missing.

What Was the Original Plan?

The first plan for the monument included a bronze statue of the Cuban president at that time, Gerardo Machado. However, the monument's opening was delayed for a long time. Because of this delay, the statue of President Machado was never added to the monument.

What Does the Monument Look Like?

The most important part of the monument is a female statue at the very top. This statue represents Cuba. She wears a flowing dress and a special hat called a Phrygian cap. This part was designed by Miquel Blay.

Figures on the Pedestal

The base of the monument, called the pedestal, holds other important figures:

A statue of Christopher Columbus, made by Francisco Asorey.
A statue of Queen Isabella I, made by Juan Cristóbal.
The coat of arms of Cuba, which is like a national symbol.

Unique Details and Animals

You can also see parts of a galleon (an old sailing ship) made of bronze. These ship parts, showing the front and back, come out from the sides of the pedestal. They were created by Mariano Benlliure. The monument also has bronze sculptures of iguanas, tortoises, and tropical fruits. These animal sculptures are special because they also act as water spouts for the fountain around the monument.

When Was the Monument Opened?

The monument was finished in 1930, but it took a long time to be officially opened. There were many political changes in both Spain and Cuba during those years. For example, the leader Primo de Rivera left power in 1930. Spain became a republic in 1931, and President Machado was overthrown in Cuba in 1933.

The Unveiling Ceremony

Finally, more than two decades after it was built, the monument was opened. This happened on October 27, 1952. The date was chosen to celebrate 460 years since Christopher Columbus first discovered the island of Cuba. Many important people attended the ceremony. These included the Mayor of Madrid, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the ambassadors from both Cuba and Spain.