The Monumento a José Miguel Gómez is one of the beautiful monuments, maybe the most magnificent one, adorning one of the main avenues of Havana that connects the Avenida Salvador Allende to Malecón. The monument was built in memory of the Major General José Miguel Gómez that took part in the Liberation Army as high officer and fought for the independence of Cuba. He was the President of Cuba from 1909 to 1913, succeeding in a lot of works in the modernization of the country.

The monument is the work of the Italian architect Giovanni Nicolini. Some says that Nicolini was inspired by the famous monument of Victor Manuel II, the first king of unified Italy, erected in Rome in 1910. The monument of José Miguel Gómez was inaugurated with a solemn ceremony in 1936. By that time, 15 years had passed since his death and 23 years since the end of his government. The construction of the monument was estimated 125.000 pesos that was paid by the individuals, contributing up to 20 cents per person; an event that proves the popular sympathy that the President had won.

The monument can be accessed by the stairs at both sides and at the back. The bronze statue of José Miguel Gómez is placed in the center of a wide semicircle. It has a height of about 3,5 meters. It stands on a pink granite pedestal that was brought from Ravenna, Italy. The name of the general is written on the central obelisk behind the statue, topped by six bronze figures in heroic positions that represent the six provinces of the time. On both sides of the statue, you can see the white marble statues, representing the strength and the magnanimity. Except the front part, the obelisk is surrounded by bronze high reliefs that reflects several scenes from the life of the general during the War of Independence and the Republic. The Major General is represented looking to the sea, because he died abroad, despite being Cuban. Two beautiful sculptural sets are placed at the top, on each of the upper ends of the semicircle, representing history and time, with freedom in the center (on the left) and right and law, with peace in the center (on the right). The monumental complex offers terraces at different levels and benches to rest and Carrera marble fountains. The surrounding garden includes some royal palms, the national tree of Cuba.