An encounter with history: The Memorial to the Victims of the Maine [ENG/ES]
English Version 🇬🇧
This magnificent sculpture is very close to the capital's Malecon. It is located in the municipality of Vedado, near Linea Avenue, and is dedicated to the sailors who lost their lives in the explosion of the battleship USS Maine. So before beginning to appreciate the beauty of its design, it is necessary to know a little about the events that led to its construction.
The history of this ship is marked by a rather dramatic event: The Maine exploded in a somewhat mysterious way, leaving a considerable number of victims. Even today it is not known exactly how the events occurred, and it is not clear whether it was an attack or an accident. This imposing ship belonging to the U.S. Navy was sent to the port of Havana towards the end of the 19th century, to protect U.S. citizens who were on the island because in Cuba the war for independence from Spanish colonialism was being fought.
The Maine harbored in its holds a large load of black powder used in its weapons system, which apparently was the cause of the terrible and devastating explosion that split the ship in two and caused a part of the ship to become detached through the air and later sank in the waters of the bay, leaving a considerable number of victims among its crew members. This event was the reason for the United States Army to intervene in favor of Cuba in the war of liberation against Spain. An event that would mark a new stage in the future of the history of my country.
The monument was the work of Cuban architect Félix Cabarrocas .
It is almost one hundred years old. It was inaugurated in 1925, and pays homage to the 226 sailors who lost their lives in this unfortunate event. It remains almost intact to this day, and I say almost because it has undergone some changes from how it was originally.
Before the year 1961, at the highest point of the Memorial to the victims of the Maine, there was an Eagle. On the capitals of its two columns existed an eagle with outstretched wings, symbol of the American nation. At present only a great emptiness can be appreciated, since the second year after the triumph of the popular revolution that overthrew the reigning government and the breaking of relations with the government of the United States, the eagle was taken down.
On a large pedestal at the foot of its columns and facing away from the sea are two imposing bronze statues symbolizing the countries of the United States and Cuba.
At the other extreme of the monument facing the immensity of the sea, there is a plaque on which are engraved the names of the sailors who lost their lives that fateful day, and above it is the figure of a bronze statue in a pious attitude towards the lifeless bodies of two of the victims of this unfortunate event. Young men who could not fulfill their dreams, desires and illusions. So this was the part of the monument that moved me the most. Being here, it is inevitable not to reflect on the twists and turns that destiny can take in a matter of seconds...
This magnificent sculpture was recently restored since its proximity to the sea contributed to its deterioration. Thanks to this restoration work it regained the beauty and splendor of the past.
This is a solemn place, where we can evoke the important events of our history and that helps us not to forget the events of my country's past.
I bid you farewell as always, hoping to have been able to show a part of my history and my culture, best regards and see you next time! 🖐
-Bibliography consulted Ecured: (https://www.ecured.cu/Monumento_al_Maine)
-All photos are my property, taken from my Huawei P Smart cell phone. 📱
Versión en Español 🇪🇸
Esta magnífica escultura está muy cercana al Malecón capitalino. Se encuentra en el municipio Vedado, cerca de la avenida de Línea, y está dedicada a los marineros que perdieron la vida en la explosión del acorazado USS Maine. Por lo que antes de empezar a apreciar lo hermoso de su diseño se hace necesario conocer un poco sobre los hechos que dieron lugar a su construcción.
La historia de este buque está marcada por un suceso bastante dramático y es que el Maine explotó de manera un tanto misteriosa, dejando un saldo considerable de víctimas. Aun hoy en día no se conoce exactamente cómo sucedieron los hechos, y no está claro si fue un atentado o un accidente. Este imponente barco perteneciente a la armada de los Estados Unidos fue enviado al puerto de La Habana hacia finales del Siglo XIX, para proteger a los ciudadanos estadounidenses que se encontraban en la isla ya que en Cuba se libraba la guerra para alcanzar la independencia del coloniaje español.
El Maine albergaba en sus bodegas una gran carga de pólvora negra que se usaba en su sistema de armas y que al parecer fue la causante de la terrible y devastadora explosión que partió al buque en dos y provocó que una parte del barco saliera desprendida por los aires para luego hundirse en las aguas de la bahía; dejando un considerable número de víctimas entre los miembros de su tripulación. Este hecho fue el motivo para que el Ejército de los Estados Unidos interviniera a favor de Cuba en la guerra de liberación contra España. Un hecho que marcaría una nueva etapa en el futuro de la historia de mi país.
El monumento fue obra del arquitecto cubano Félix Cabarrocas .
y tiene casi cien años. Se inauguró en el año 1925, y rinde homenaje a los 226 marineros que perdieron sus vidas en este lamentable suceso. Este se conserva casi intacto hasta nuestros días, y digo casi porque ha sufrido algunos cambios de cómo era originalmente.
Antes del año 1961, en lo mas alto del Monumento a las víctimas del Maine, se encontraba un Águila. Sobre los capiteles de sus dos columnas existió un águila con sus alas extendidas, símbolo de la nación estadounidense. Actualmente sólo se puede apreciar un gran vacío, ya que al segundo año de triunfar la revolución popular que derrocó al gobierno imperante y al romperse las relaciones con el gobierno de Estados Unidos, el águila fue derribada.
La base del monumento asemeja la forma de un barco y en su centro se alzan dos columnas de mármol exactamente idénticas, que llaman la atención por su gran tamaño. Ambas están erigidas sobre parte de los restos del buque. Se puede observar en la base de cada una los cañones y las cadenas del ancla que pertenecieron al Maine y que fueron rescatados del fondo marino. Actualmente creo que deben ser unos de los pocos restos que se conservan del buque, ya que el mismo fue sacado del fondo de la Bahía y dinamitado. Estos dos cañones que se conservan son realmente impresionantes, y al estar aquí solo puedo sentir un gran respeto por estas reliquias y por el significado que encierran.
Sobre un gran pedestal a los pies de sus columnas y mirando en dirección opuesta al mar se encuentran dos imponentes estatuas de bronce, las que simbolizan a los países de Estados Unidos y Cuba.
En el otro extremo del monumento de cara a la inmensidad del mar, hay una tarja en la que están grabados los nombres de los marineros que perdieron su vida ese fatídico día, y encima se aprecia la figura de una estatua en bronce en actitud piadosa hacia los cuerpos sin vida de dos de las víctimas de este lamentable suceso. Hombres jóvenes que no pudieron cumplir sus sueños, sus deseos e ilusiones. Por lo que esta fue la parte del monumento que más me conmovió. Estando aquí es inevitable no reflexionar sobre los giros que puede dar el destino solo en cuestiones de segundos...
Esta magnífica escultura fue restaurada recientemente ya que la cercanía al mar contribuyó a su deterioro. Gracias a esta labor de restauración volvió a recuperar la belleza y el esplendor del pasado.
Este es un lugar solemne, donde podemos evocar los importantes sucesos de nuestra historia y que nos ayuda a no olvidar los sucesos del pasado de mi país.
Me despido como siempre esperando haber podido mostrar una parte mi historia y mi cultura. ¡Un gran saludo y hasta la próxima! 🖐
Bibliography Consultada Ecured: (https://www.ecured.cu/Monumento_al_Maine)
-Todas las fotos son de mi propiedad, tomadas desde mi telefono celular Huawei P Smart. 📱
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Nice pictures...I liked the walk through this place.
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Hi Jordy, this sculpture is without a doubt one of the most recognized in Havana and as such is impressive for its beauty. The Maine is one of those moments in history that are a mystery, and there are many versions of why it exploded. I am left with the young men who lost their lives in the explosion, which is really what was most valuable in that ship.
War is a terrible thing.
A hug and thanks for another of your incredible publications about the architecture of our Havana.
Thank you very much. It really is an impressive place, and even more so when you know its history. Well known by all Cubans.
Thank you for your words!
Cheers
Muy bonito tu post además interesante para los que no somos habaneros pero nos interesa la historia sobretodo está que fue el pretexto ideal para la intervención norteamericana en Cuba. Murieron muchas personas y llegó la historia vas se repite aún más cruel con la explosión del Buque La Coubre solo que ahí si murieron muchos más cubanos teniendo en cuenta que hubo dos explosiones y en la segunda murieron aquellos que fueron en ayuda por lo que había sucedido en la primera explosión Gracias
Your post is very nice, and it is also interesting for those of us who are not from Havana but who are interested in history, above all, that it was the ideal pretext for the US intervention in Cuba. Many people died and history came to repeat itself even crueler with the explosion of the La Coubre ship, only there many more Cubans did die, taking into account that there were two explosions and in the second one those who helped out for what had happened died at the first exposure. Thank you
Hello, I can tell you like historical facts. Very true your words, history is something that is part of our life. And these past events were regrettable, so we should forget them.
Cheers.
Hola querida @jordy0827 , una historia enigmática y una gran escultura, una hermosa publicación sobre un lugar que conmueve a los cubanos. Excelente!!!
Hello friend, it is a very touching place. And very beautiful too.
Cheers
A high-level article very well structured and very well written. Excellent photos as usual in your shared content... I didn't know that about the removal of the eagle!... I learn something new every day in #Hive!... Thank you so much for sharing!
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Well, yes, it was eliminated and also the maneuver was not performed correctly and there was an accident and the crane that was loading it to lower it dropped it and broke it into several pieces.
Here is a picture of how it was:
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Hiya, @lizanomadsoul here, just swinging by to let you know that this post made it into our Honorable Mentions in Daily Travel Digest #1838.
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Greetings @jordy0827. My sincere prayers to those who lost their lives during that tragic event of the battleship USS Maine. Your featured monument is undeniably a valuable architectural legacy signifying Cuba's respects for those who continue to fight for freedom. That imperial eagle perched on top of the pillars could have made the landmark more majestic and symbolic though. But anyway. 😊
Thank you for your words. The monument is a beautiful symbol. The eagle was removed in the middle of a hostile relationship with the USA that has lasted for decades. When it was being lowered by accident it fell to the ground and broke, only some of its parts are preserved.
It is a pleasure to be able to show part of the history of my country through Architecture.
Yes, I understand the situation. Rest assured, genuine peace, understanding, and cooperation would prevail among all nations. Thank you for your fantastic publication! 👍
Paso muy seguido por ese monumento y siempre es impresionante 👋
I pass by that monument very often and it is always impressive 👋.
Yes it is. Thanks for your comment 😊
A very extraordinary post about a historical landmark and we will always try to remember it for the victims. Hopefully history of the tragedy will not repeat itself and the victims will receive the best appreciation.
Thank you very much for your nice comment.
Cheers!
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It is always a great honor to support you dear @jordy0827 in our beloved community. Continue publishing exceptional content! 😀