Amidst imported marble and lush ferns in Santiago de Cuba lies perhaps the most talked-about tombstone in Cuba: a granite boulder with a niche, called the "monolith," surrounded by a ceremony reminiscent of Red Square brought to Santa Ifigenia. The sculptor behind this monument, Antonio Matos Díaz, who carved the block housing the ashes of dictator Fidel Castro, speaks of his work with profound devotion. In an interview with Cuban Television, he revealed that he "sees" the historical leader every day.
"I see Fidel every day, victorious, just as he described himself on January 1st, 1959, when he entered Santiago de Cuba and spoke of the strength of the revolution rooted in the Sierra Maestra and Santiago de Cuba," Matos passionately declared, viewing the stone as a mystical crystal ball rather than merely a representation of a corn kernel.
The sculptor's zeal is unmistakable: to him, the 24-ton boulder is a "sacred altar of the homeland," and creating it was a "historic mission" entrusted to two "humble sons"—himself, a native of Sagua de Tánamo, a "martyr city," and his assistant. As the 99th anniversary of the birth of the so-called "revolution" leader approaches, Cuba's state media indulges in sentimentalism.
The project, commissioned by Raúl Castro and overseen by figures like Juan Almeida and Eusebio Leal, was shrouded in secrecy for years. Matos spent six of those years isolated in a restricted area, sculpting the block extracted from the Gran Piedra. Even his family was kept in the dark about his work. The official narrative claims that the result "will endure forever."
The ceremonial activities surrounding the "eternal rock" include honor guards, half-hour guard changes, and solemn music composed by Almeida. Situated in a cemetery that also houses the graves of Martí and other historical figures, Fidel's stone has become a focal point for pilgrimages, tears, and speeches intertwining 19th-century independence with the 1959 Revolution.
Matos recounted how Castro's death caught him recovering from hernia surgery, yet he still attended to seal the green Guatemalan marble lid inscribed with "Fidel" in gold letters. The ensemble is completed with cream-colored Bayamo marble, stones from rivers associated with the guerrilla movement, and planters featuring coffee and ferns from the Sierra Maestra—a symbolic display that, according to official media, "preserves the commander’s legacy for future generations."
For Matos, the conversation with the absent leader continues: "Commander, what else should I do?" he mentally asks each time he finishes a task. Thus, amidst stone, solemnity, and personality cult, the rock remains: immovable, like the narrative surrounding it.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fidel Castro's Memorial
What is unique about Fidel Castro's tombstone?
Fidel Castro's tombstone is a granite boulder with a niche, called a "monolith," which has become a focal point for ceremonies and pilgrimages, symbolizing his legacy.
Who was responsible for creating Fidel Castro's memorial?
The memorial was sculpted by Antonio Matos Díaz under the commission of Raúl Castro and was supervised by prominent figures like Juan Almeida and Eusebio Leal.
What elements are included in the design of Castro's memorial?
The design includes green Guatemalan marble, cream-colored Bayamo marble, stones from rivers linked to the guerrilla, and coffee and ferns from the Sierra Maestra.