Christ of Havana, Marble monument in Casablanca district, Havana, Cuba
The Christ of Havana is a white Carrara marble sculpture of Jesus on La Cabaña hill in Casablanca, Regla. It stands about 20 metres high including a 3-metre base, weighs roughly 320 tons and is assembled from 67 marble blocks. The figure stands with the right hand near the chin and the left near the chest, facing the city.
Jilma Madera won the commission in 1953, and the statue was carved in Rome from 67 Carrara marble blocks blessed by Pope Pius XII before shipment. It was inaugurated on La Cabaña hill on December 24, 1958, blessed by Cardinal Arteaga against his will. Fifteen days later, on January 8, 1959, Fidel Castro entered Havana.
Locals joke that the right hand holds an imaginary cigar and the left a mojito, a nod to Cuban popular culture. Sculptor Jilma Madera said the face reflects Cuba's racial diversity, and the shoes were modelled on the flip-flops she wore while working in Italy.
The site sits 51 meters above sea level on a hill in Regla municipality and offers open views over Havana Bay. Visitors reach the spot via a steep road that leads to a small open forecourt.
Between 1961 and 1986 lightning struck the figure three times before protective measures were installed. The eyes were deliberately left empty so the marble reflects sunlight differently than the rest of the facial features.
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