Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park is a small historic park on SW 13th Avenue in Little Havana, with monuments to Cuban and Cuban American figures. At the entrance, the Eternal Torch honors members of Brigade 2506 who died in the Bay of Pigs invasion; nearby are statues and memorials connected to Cuba’s struggle for freedom. Look for the ceiba tree and the Virgin Mary statue, both important in Santeria. Chickens and roosters roam the green spaces, and the park hosts cultural events including the Calle Ocho Music Festival.
Monuments to Cuban history
The park’s monuments remember Cuban and Cuban American figures and people who fought for freedom. At the entrance, the Eternal Torch honors members of Brigade 2506 who died during the Bay of Pigs invasion. The failed operation took place in April 1961, during the Cold War, when Cuban exiles attempted to overthrow Fidel Castro. The memorial was dedicated in 1971.
Behind the torch is a bust of Manolo Fernandez, the tango musician known as “El Caballero del Tango”. He left Cuba in 1959 and settled in Miami. Other monuments include a statue of Nestor “Tony” Izquierdo, a Brigade 2506 member, and a memorial to the anti-communist guerrilla fighters who fought in Cuba from 1960 to 1966. That memorial, a soldier’s silhouette, was added in 2021.
The ceiba tree and Santeria symbols
A large ceiba tree stands among the park’s memorials. The tree is important in Santeria, and religious offerings can be found among its roots. A statue of the Virgin Mary is another symbol connected to the faith. Take time to look around the tree and read the information displayed throughout the park.
A stop in Little Havana
Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park is on SW 13th Avenue, just south of Calle Ocho, in a residential part of Little Havana. Its shaded green spaces offer a quiet place to pause between nearby sights. Chickens and roosters roam freely around the park.
Cultural events, including the Calle Ocho Music Festival, take place here. If you want more context for the monuments, tours are available. Nearby side streets may have free parking.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Cuban Memorial Boulevard Park?
The park is at 999 SW 13th Avenue in Little Havana, Miami, just south of Calle Ocho.
What can you see at the park?
Monuments include the Eternal Torch honoring Brigade 2506, a bust of Manolo Fernandez, a statue of Nestor “Tony” Izquierdo and a memorial to anti-communist guerrilla fighters. The park also has a ceiba tree and a Virgin Mary statue.
Is there a fee to visit?
No admission fee is specified in the available information.
When is a good time to visit?
Early morning or around sunset is suggested for the light.
