Hundreds of monuments dedicated to Cuba’s National Hero Jose Marti are found across the island, in plazas, parks and other public places, but in the municipality of Placetas there is a different one in honor of the most important independence leader in the country.

In addition to busts and plaques found in schools and other public places, in what is called as the Villa de los Laureles there is a replica of his house of birth very much like the original one located on Paula Street in Havana.

The curious monument was inaugurated on January 28th, 1953 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the National Hero and constituted homage to Marti and the town of Placetas where he dedicated a time of his life during the struggle for the island’s independence.

Constructed on the avenue that holds his name and Segunda del Sur Street the house with a size a little less than the real home, with similar facades made out of concrete and wood on both sides while the doors and windows are painted in blue and fence surrounding the home.

The column that stands out in the front, the National Coat of Arms appears in the superior part and underneath gold letters where you can read the name of the founder of the first Cuban Revolutionary Party and Ettore Salvatore, creator of the work.

Throughout the years, this site has witnessed rallies and patriotic-cultural activities in honor of Marti and where flowers are placed as tribute to the author of the Edad de Oro (Golden Age) and Versos Sencillos (Simple Verses).

As interesting information and a singularity of the municipality is the number of small replicas of Marti’s home located in several Committees for the Defense of the Revolution and different neighborhoods of the region. By Eduardo Luis Martín