Cuba has works of art of a matchless value which compete in grandeur with others beyond the seas, and add to the natural beauties of our green archipelago, to the goodness of our climate, and to the gentle and warm nature of Cubans, to turn our Island into a distinguished touristic destiny.

In this review, we refer to a very important sculptural work, located in Havana: The Statue of the Republic, which is found in the Capitol. It is considered the third one in size, among the sculptures made indoors, in the whole world.

The enormous effigy is a work of the Italian sculptor Angelo Zanetti. It is only surpassed in height by The Golden Buddha from Nova, in Japan, considered the highest; and the statue of Abraham Lincoln in the Memorial bearing his name in Washington, which occupies the second place.

The Statue of the Republic reaches a height of 14, 60 meters and rises on a marble pedestal of 2, 5 meters. It represents a young woman standing up, dressed on a slightly pleated robe, she wears a helmet, and by her side there is a shield she holds in her right hand. With the left one, she wilds a spear, attributes to the style of Ancient Greece. It was melted in Rome and was taken to Cuba in three big pieces. It is made of bronze, and it is covered with- three gold coats of 22 karats.

The awesome figure straightens up in the circular gallery of the second floor or main floor, where the- diamond marking the kilometer cero of the Central Highway- is also found.

By flanking the entrance to the building there are also to huge sculptural groups in bronze, of 6, 70 meters, works of the same sculptor, which impress passers-by because of their splendor: a female figure representing the guardian virtue of the people; the other one, a male figure which symbolizes progress of human activity.

Translator: Reinaldo Fernàndez