The Monumento al Tren Blindado is a national monument commemorating the battle of Santa Clara – the final fight before the Cuban revolution succeeded. In 1958 dictator Fulgencio Batista sent an armored train with 378 soldiers and weaponry to end the revolution. As it arrived in Santa Clara it was attacked by Che Guevara and 18 guerilleros.
They destroyed 30 meters of railway tracks with a bulldozer and used molotov cocktails to create great heat. After hours of fighting the government troops surrendered and several soldiers changed sides. Afterwards they took back the city of Santa Clara and on the 1st of January, 1959 Batista fled to the Dominican Republic.
Today you can visit four original waggons of the train and the bulldozer used. An artwork made of concrete depicts an explosion within the railway tracks. The original railway tracks close to the monument have been repaired and are used again.
Monumento al Tren Blindado
Santa Clara, Cuba
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