José Martí was a 19th century Cuban intellectual. His political writings advocated freedom from Spanish control and warnings against the growing influence of the U.S. on Cuba. His beliefs were detailed in the Manifesto of Montecristi in March of 1895. The document became the foundation for the Revolutionary Party. Two months later, Martí was killed during the Battle of Dos Rios in the early part of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain. His death rallied the country to fight for liberty. A 59 foot statue of José Martí by Juan José Sicre is on the left. At the top of the five-star-shaped, 358 foot tower is an observation deck. Inside is a museum about the man called the “Apostle of Cuban Independence.” The José Martí Monument is the prominent feature of Revolution Square.
