Christ of Havana Height – Cuba's Marble Jesus
Christ of Havana rises 66 feet (20 meters) above the eastern shore of Havana Bay, standing as one of Cuba's most prominent religious monuments and offering panoramic views across the historic harbor. Completed in 1958, this white Carrara marble statue depicts Jesus with arms outstretched in a traditional blessing pose, created by Cuban sculptor Jilma Madera—one of the few monumental Christ statues sculpted by a woman. The statue's strategic position on La Cabaña hillside makes it visible from much of Old Havana across the water, creating a spiritual landmark that survived Cuba's revolutionary transition and continues welcoming visitors to one of the Caribbean's most historic cities.
Christ of Havana Quick Facts
- Statue Height: 66 feet (20 meters)
- Total Height: 66 feet including base
- Material: Carrara marble from Italy
- Location: Casablanca, Havana Bay, Cuba
- Completed: 1958
- Sculptor: Jilma Madera
Carrara Marble Design at 66 Feet
Christ of Havana's 66-foot height is achieved through white Carrara marble construction, with the statue carved from Italian marble blocks shipped to Cuba and assembled on the hillside site. The figure depicts Jesus in traditional iconography with arms extended horizontally in blessing gesture, head crowned with a subtle halo, and robes flowing in classical sculptural style. The Carrara marble provides both aesthetic beauty and durability, though requiring maintenance in Cuba's tropical maritime climate with salt air and intense sun. The statue stands on a pedestal base elevating it further above the hillside, with the figure itself accounting for the primary 66-foot measurement. The white marble creates a luminous presence visible across Havana Bay, particularly striking when lit by morning or evening sun.
The engineering required to construct a 66-foot marble statue involved complex logistics including quarrying and shipping marble from Italy's Carrara region, famous for providing stone for Michelangelo and countless masterworks. Sculptor Jilma Madera created the statue in sections that were assembled on-site, with internal reinforcement supporting the marble structure. The foundation anchors deep into La Cabaña hillside, providing stability for the elevated monument. Construction occurred during the final years of pre-revolutionary Cuba, commissioned by President Fulgencio Batista's wife who desired a religious landmark for Havana. The statue was blessed and inaugurated on December 25, 1958, just days before the Cuban Revolution succeeded on January 1, 1959. Remarkably, the monument survived this political transition and subsequent decades of secular revolutionary government, protected as cultural heritage and appreciated for its artistic merit beyond religious significance. The statue represents one of few works by female sculptors at this monumental scale worldwide.
Panoramic Harbor Views and Historic Context
The statue's location on Casablanca hillside across Havana Bay from Old Havana provides spectacular panoramic views encompassing the historic harbor entrance, colonial fortress architecture, Havana's skyline, and the open Caribbean beyond. Visitors access the site via ferry from Old Havana or by road, with gardens and viewpoints surrounding the statue offering multiple perspectives. The statue looks westward across the bay toward the city, appearing to bless Havana's residents and maritime traffic entering the harbor. The monument has become a pilgrimage site for Cuban Catholics and a popular tourist destination appreciated for both religious significance and the extraordinary views from its elevated position. The statue's survival through revolutionary transition speaks to its cultural importance beyond ideology, recognized as significant Cuban art and architectural heritage regardless of changing political contexts.
Comparison to Other Christ Statues
| Statue | Height | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Christ Blessing Statue | 164 ft (50 m) | 98 feet taller |
| Christ the Protector | 141 ft (43 m) | 75 feet taller |
| Christ of Havana | 66 ft (20 m) | Cuba's marble landmark |
| Christ of the Abyss | 8 ft (2.5 m) | 58 feet shorter |
Related Christ Monuments
Explore heights of other Jesus statues: Christ Blessing Statue, Christ the Protector, Cristo de la Concordia, Christ of the Abyss, and other religious landmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Christ of Havana?
Christ of Havana stands 66 feet (20 meters) tall, constructed from white Carrara marble and positioned on a hillside overlooking Havana Bay with panoramic views of Old Havana across the water.
Who created Christ of Havana?
Cuban sculptor Jilma Madera created Christ of Havana in 1958, making it one of the few monumental Christ statues worldwide sculpted by a woman. The statue was carved from Italian Carrara marble.
Why did the statue survive the Cuban Revolution?
Despite being completed just days before the 1959 revolution, Christ of Havana survived as protected cultural heritage, appreciated for its artistic merit beyond religious significance and recognized as important Cuban sculpture.
How do you visit Christ of Havana?
Visitors can reach the statue via ferry from Old Havana across the bay to Casablanca, or by road. The site offers gardens, viewpoints, and spectacular panoramic views of Havana harbor and the city skyline.
What makes Christ of Havana unique?
The statue is notable for being carved from Italian Carrara marble, created by female sculptor Jilma Madera, completed just before Cuba's revolution, and offering one of the best panoramic views of historic Havana Bay.