| Santa Ifigenia Cemetery | |
| Monument Name: | Santa Ifigenia Patrimonial Cemetery |
| Native Name: | Cementerio Santa Ifigenia |
| Location: | Ave. Capitán Raúl Perozo, Distrito José Martí, Santiago de Cuba Cuba |
| Type: | Cemetery |
The Santa Ifigênia Cemetery, officially Santa Ifigênia Patrimonial Cemetery, is the cemetery, necropolis and main pantheon of the Cuban Oriente and the city of Santiago de Cuba. It is located west of the city, more specifically in the José Martí district and stands out for being the resting place of the remains of a large number of heroes and famous figures in the history and culture of Cuba, including José Martí and Fidel Castro.[1] [2]
The signature resting place is that of José Martí, Cuba's national hero, whose mausoleum is guarded by Cuban soldiers at the entrance. At every half hour, visitors can see the changing of the guard.[3]
It was inaugurated in February 1868 and in April of the same year the first burials took place. It was declared a national monument in 1937 and ratified by Fidel Castro's government in 1979.[4] The cemetery opened in 1868 to replace smaller Cemetery of Santa Ana. It contains the remains of 32 generals from Cuba's wars of independence and those of most of those who assaulted the Moncada Barracks.
The most important mausoleum is dedicated to José Julián Martí Pérez, the National Hero,[5] who was buried together with the other mambises veterans from 1947 to 1951, with the current tomb being inaugurated on June 30, 2002, which is guarded by a permanent guard of honour since 2002.[6] [7] The cemetery is reached by public transit from bus stops across Avenida Capitán Raúl Perozo. Parking is available for buses at the entrance of the cemetery.
On November 25, 2016, the then President of the Council of State and Ministers Raúl Castro, informed Cuba and the world of the death of his brother Fidel, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution and who led the country for almost five decades, and on the day December 4, 2016, his burial took place in this cemetery.[8] [9]