Diminutive Parque Central is a scenic haven from the belching buses and roaring taxis that ply their way along the Paseo de Martí (Prado). The park, long a microcosm of daily Havana life, was expanded to its present size in the late 19th century after the city walls were knocked down. The marble statue of José Martí (1905) at its center was the first of thousands to be erected in Cuba.
Raised on the 10th anniversary of the poet's death, the monument is ringed by 28 palm trees planted to signify Martí's birth date: January 28. Hard to miss over to one side is the group of baseball fans who linger 24/7 at the famous Esquina Caliente , discussing form, tactics and the Havana teams' prospects in the play-offs.
