Here stands the Monumento a Cuba Statue a testament to shared history. Gifted to Madrid by Cuba this monument honors the island nation.
The Monumento a Cuba Statue found its place here in El Retiro Park. Its story began in 1929. The Ayuntamiento de Madrid approved its erection as a homage to Cuba. Mariano Benlliure directed the works. He received help from Miquel Blay, Francisco Asorey and Juan Cristobal for the sculptural elements. The works took place mainly between 1929 and 1930.
Atop the Monumento a Cuba Statue, a female figure stands. This is an allegory of Cuba designed by Blay. She wears a draped tunic and a Phrygian cap. The pedestal shows figures of Christopher Columbus and Isabella I of Castile. These figures are by Asorey and Juan Cristobal. The coat of arms of Cuba is also displayed.
Bronze elements adorn the sides of the pedestal. These depict the fore and aft of a galleon by Benlliure. You can also see bronze iguanas tortoises and tropical fruits. These animals serve as water sources for the fountain.
Interestingly the original project included a bronze sculpture of Cuban President Gerardo Machado. Due to delays the sculpture was never added. Political changes in both countries caused significant delays. These included the renunciation of Primo de Rivera in 1930 and the proclamation of the Second Republic in Spain in 1931. Also the overthrow of Machado in Cuba in 1933.
The Monumento a Cuba Statue was finally unveiled on October 27 1952. This marked the 460th anniversary of Cuba’s discovery during Columbus’s first voyage.
Many officials attended the ceremony. These included José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní and Alberto Martín Artajo. Also present were Antonio Iraizoz and Juan Pablo de Lojendio. Mariano Ossorio Arévalo also attended the ceremony.
The creation of the Monumento a Cuba Statue involved a public subscription from Spanish provinces. General Primo de Rivera promoted it. However construction was paralyzed by the Second Spanish Republic in 1931. To reciprocate Cuba created a monument to Spain under President Machado.
The Monumento a Cuba Statue measures 8.50 x 12.00 x 12.00 meters. It consists of marble granite and bronze. On the base sides you can see prows of caravels. These are accompanied by dolphins. There is also a representation of American fauna including iguanas and tortoises made of bronze.