Plaza de la Revolución

Steeped in historical significance, Plaza de la Revolución is one of the most powerful symbols of modern Cuba. Spanning roughly 72,000 square metres, it ranks among the largest public squares in the world. Standing here, surrounded by so much open space, it’s hard not to feel small . Designed by a French urban planner in the 1920s, this vast plaza is at the heart of the Vedado district. In 1959, it became the stage for Cuba’s most defining political moments. It was here that Fidel Castro, leader of the Cuban Revolution, delivered his famously marathon speeches—sometimes lasting up to six hours—to crowds of up to a million people. You had to be seriously devoted to stay the whole time! The square has hosted countless major events—from celebrations of the Revolution’s victory to the International Workers’ Day parade every May 1st since 1961. More than a public space this Plaza is a living symbol of Cuban socialism. Today, the square is surrounded by key government buildings, including the Ministry of the Interior, the Council of State, the Council of Ministers, and the Central Committee of the Communist Party. It is, without question, the political heart of the country. Despite the stark police presence, it’s the two monumental portraits that dominate the scene—each one 40 metres high and 36 metres wide. Can you guess who they are? The first you may recognise as Ernesto “Che” Guevara, immortalised from Alberto Korda’s iconic 1960 photograph, alongside his famous slogan: Hasta la victoria siempre—“Onward to victory.” The second face is that of Camilo Cienfuegos, another key figure of the revolution. He was added in 2009 and his mural bears the words: Vas bien, Fidel—“You’re doing fine, Fidel.” A phrase he once said in response to Castro during a 1959 speech.