Leoncio Vidal Park
In the center of the Santa Clara City, in Villa Clara Province — in the heart of Cuba — is the Leoncio Vidal Park Caro, a national monument.
Prominent among the buildings circling the park is the La Caridad Theater (also a national monument), the Jose Marti Library (formerly the provincial government headquarters) and the Hotel Santa Clara Libre.
One can also admire the “El Niño de la Bota Infortunada” fountain, along with a bust of the benefactor of the city, Marta Abreu de Estevez.
This park occupies an important place in the history of Cuba. Mambi Colonel Leoncio Vidal died fighting there against the Spanish on March 23, 1896. Likewise, battles were fought there against the tyranny of Cuban President Gerardo Machado, and on December 28, 1958, rebels under the command of Ernesto “Che” Guevara fought there against the Batista dictatorship.
