Photo of the Day ~ Street Scenes Category ~ March 16, 2009

Sony Cyber Shot DSC-R1

Havana

Cuba

Isabel de Bobadilla, married Hernando de Soto the famous explorer in 1537 and he was named governor of Cuba and Adelantado de Florida. Her husband left Cuba for his expedition in Florida (1539 to 1543) and she became the only woman governor in the history of Cuba. The Castillo de la Real Fuerza has a statue on its watchtower, representing a woman, La Giraldilla (small vane or weather-cock in the form of a statue). It is suggested that it was placed there to honor Isabel de Bobadilla who is said to have watched every day for the return of her husband from his expedition. He died of yellow fever in 1542 on the banks of the Mississippi River at present-day Lake Village, Arkansas.