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General Data on Julio Grave de Peralta Park
The Square, today known as Julio Grave de Peralta Park, in Holguin City, was drawn in 1720 with a Catholic church presiding it.
Until 1790, it was the center of political, economic and social events of the city, so around it the main foundational neighbors began to be built.
By constructing the present Cathedral of San Isidoro the square changed since it became the first two-storey building of the city, a prison in the basement and the high council above.
This building was located in the parallel street and in front of the parish.
It was built in 1922, in the south-east location of the square, an eclectic roundabout for music bands of the town. It was demolished in 1947 and rebuilt again in the first decade of the century with the name of Albanian Glorieta.
Julio Grave de Peralta Park and its Relevant Events
In 1868 the square and surrounding areas were besieged by Major General Julio Grave de Peralta and Luis Marcano.
After the city was taken, it was risen in the Church tower on November 17th the flag of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. In 1900, the square now called Julio Grave de Peralta Park, took the name of the Cuban National Hero, José Martí, until in 1916 when it was unveiled at its center the General Julio Grave de Peralta statue, and subsequently the name.
The patriot sculpture shows a martial attitude, with sword in hand and advanced standing.
This work has its historical inaccuracies, since its registration is on 1838.
However, it was materialized four years before (1834). At his feet is the Statue of Liberty with its frigid and embracing the national emblem hat.
This monument spent years without restoration. It was restored holding a bouquet of flowers on it.
Julio Grave de Peralta Park and the Illustrious Mambi
Julio Grave de Peralta was born on April 24, 1834 in the Holguin City. His life was devoted to the freedom cause in Cuba from Spanish colonial system and consequently he fought for this goal.
In this endeavor he was accumulating merits for services till he obtained to the military rank of Major General, the highest rank of rebel troops in Cuba.
Close friends joined this Holguin general with Carlos Manuel de Cespedes, the President of the Republic in Arms, who felt great sympathy for Julio Grave de Peralta.
This friendship began to be founded since the Holguin leader became one of the first to respond to the call of the Demajagua, uprising that started the 10 Years War, triggered by Céspedes on October 10th, 1868 in Cuba. Near the Julio Grave de Peralta Park there is an elegant building dating back to the nineteenth century, in which there is a polyclinic with the following inscription: “Here was born Major General Julio Grave de Peralta and Zayas Bazán April 24th 1834 “.
