Plaza de la Revolución

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The Plaza of the Revolution and the Ministry of the Interior as seen from the base of the José Martí memorial

Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square) is a municipality and a square in Havana, Cuba. The municipality stretches from the square down to the sea at the Malecon and includes the Vedado district.

The square is notable as being where many political rallies take place and Fidel Castro and other political figures address Cubans. Fidel Castro has addressed more than a million Cubans on many important occasions, such as 1 May and 26 July each year.

The square is dominated by a large monument to José Martí with a 109 m (358 ft) tall tower and an 18 m (59 ft) statue. The National Library, many government ministries, and other buildings are located in and around the the Plaza. Located behind the memorial are the closely guarded offices of President Fidel Castro. Opposite the memorial on the far side of the square is the famous Che Guevara image with the slogan 'Hasta la Victoria Siempre' (Forever Onwards Towards Victory) that identifies the Ministry of the Interior building.

Revolution Square and the José Martí Memorial.

The square and the memorial were completed in 1959 (the year Fidel Castro came to power). It was originally called Plaza Civica (Civic Square). After the Cuban Revolution (1959), it was renamed "Plaza de la Revolución" or "Revolution Square." An elevator allows access the top of the memorial, the tallest building in the city.