English Version

Monuments represent and keep collective history alive, reminding us of important moments that have occurred in a country or region. Through their design and meaning they tell us about events that marked eras and help us to connect with the past in order to know and learn from it.

That is why the Monument in honour of the eight medical students is a clear example of how to keep alive in the memory of a country an event that marked a significant moment in history, and therefore should not be forgotten. This memorial is located in the Plaza de la Punta, in Old Havana, Cuba, very close to the Malecón and the Havana Tunnel.

The tragic event that this place commemorates is the one that took place on the 27th of November 1871 when a group of young medical students were unjustly condemned by the regime that prevailed in Cuba, and taken to the firing squad, only for the crime of outraging the tomb of a Spanish journalist.

Today, a fragment of the wall where the young medical students were shot is preserved in the memorial, and the word ‘Innocents’ is engraved in bronze so that such a great injustice will never be forgotten. There is also a tombstone with words that remind us of this historical event.

The structure is made of white marble, is circular in shape and small in size, with eight marble columns supporting its vaulted ceiling. It has two staircases on each side for access, and right in the centre, between its columns, is a sculpture of an angel with the body of a woman and her wings folded in mourning, like a guardian in eternal mourning. At the foot of the angel is a small plaque that reads the year of inauguration and to whom the monument is dedicated.

On one side of the monument, in a small space, a bust of Fermín Valdés Domínguez, a classmate of the young men who were executed and who was also tried for this act, stands out from a masonry wall. Fermín Valdez dedicated a large part of his life and efforts to preserve the memory of these young men and to demonstrate their innocence.

The square that houses the monument is quite large and welcoming, with many trees and several spaces with beautiful gardens that create an atmosphere of serenity. It is surrounded by significant places in the city, such as the Castle of La Punta, the Paseo del Prado and the modern hotel on the Paseo that bears its name, making it an ideal place to stroll, exercise or simply enjoy the beauty of the urban landscape.

This is a park full of history and this simple monument is a perennial reminder of injustice and sacrifice. As I stood here, the words of José Martí, Cuba's National Hero, came to mind when he referred to this event:

"When one dies in the arms of the grateful homeland, death ends, the prison is broken; Life begins at last, with dying, life!"

I hope you have enjoyed this publication and that it allows you to learn a little more about the architecture and history of the City of Havana.