Monument to the Victims of the USS Maine

The Monument to the Victims of the USS Maine is a marble and bronze memorial featuring two tall Ionic columns with cannons and an anchor chain positioned at its base. The structure occupies a prominent location along the Malecon waterfront boulevard near Linea Street.

Built in 1925 by architect Felix Cabarrocas, the monument commemorates American sailors who perished when the USS Maine battleship exploded in Havana harbor during 1898. This event marked a turning point in regional history and international relations.

The monument reflects the complex relationship between Cuba and the United States through its physical form and inscriptions that have changed over time. Walking around it, you can sense how this place carries multiple layers of historical meaning for different people.

The monument sits along the Malecon waterfront at the end of Linea Street and requires no admission fee for viewing. You can easily reach it on foot from nearby neighborhoods, and it is accessible at any time for outdoor observation.

The original bronze eagle that once crowned the top of the monument was removed and is now housed at the United States Embassy in Havana. This missing element serves as a powerful symbol of the political shifts that reshaped the island.

Location: Vedado

Inception: March 8, 1925

Architects: Félix Cabarrocas

Made from material: Carrara marble, bronze

GPS coordinates: 23.14500,-82.38167

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:56