Plaza de la Revolucion

After we are loaded on the tour bus and an introduction to our Cuban culture, we stopped at the Memorial Jose Marti, Cuban's national hero.  The tower was finished in 1958 and is 358 feet tall.  It is located n the middle of the Plaza de la Revolucion.
It is at this sight that many parades and official celebrations are held.  Fidel Castro made many of his historic speeches standing at the podium next to the statue of Jose Marti.  It is also in this square that both Pope John Paul II in 1998 and Pope Benedict in 2012 celebrated mass along with thousands of worshipers.    

Also located flanking one side of the Plaza de la Revoluction is the Ministry of the Interior building.  On the front is a huge bronze wire sculpture of Che Guevara.  The guerrilla fighter had his office in this building in the 1960's.  Under the sculpture are the words "Hasta le victoria siempre", (keep striving for victory).
Plaza de la Revolucion is an important place to visit because of its historic and symbolic importance.