![]() It’s actually the largest memorial cross in the world and stands at 152 meters or 500 feet, looming over the mountains and memorial. Since the majority of the Valley of the Fallen memorial is built into the mountain side, the majority of people traveling across Spain on interstate number 6, wouldn’t even know it’s there except for the gigantic cross that has been placed on top of the mountain. Ceiling of the Basilica of the Valley of the Fallen The Cross of the Valley of the Fallen is the Largest in the World ![]() Another factor that added to this controversy was that the basilica is an official place of worship for the Catholic Church. These controversies have led to the removal of Franco’s body. ![]() ![]() Many family members of Republicans who were buried here are upset that their loved ones shared the burial site with the tomb of Francisco Franco, Spain’s dictator, along with José Antonio Primo de Rivera, who was the founder of the Spanish Fascist Party. Ever since 1959 the number of people buried at this memorial has increased to at least 34,000 for a total of over 45,000 soldiers. When the construction of the monument was completed in 1959, it is estimated that of the more than 11,000 people who were buried there initially, only a very small percentage were Republicans while the vast majority were Nationalists. There are multiple controversies of the Valley of the Fallen, such as the unequal number of victims buried in the valley. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains from the courtyard in front of the basilica Further Controversies of the Valley of the Fallen Franco said the monument was to be a symbol of peace and reconciliation, but during its construction over an 18 year period right after the civil war, multiple war prisoners were used as labor in its construction, leading many to point out that it was eerily similar to a concentration camp. This caused controversy over the years and led to the removal of his body. The dictator intended the site to be a memorial to commemorate both sides of the civil war, at least according to him, but many believe it to be Franco’s shrine to victory and a place of mourning for his followers. The gigantic cross on top of the mountain at the Valley of the Fallen Why was Valley of the Fallen commissioned?įrancisco Franco, the Spanish dictator, commissioned it in 1940 to supposedly honor the fallen of the Spanish Civil War. The memorial consists of a basilica, built into the mountain side, an abbey and a gigantic cross. The Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, who commissioned the construction of this memorial was also buried underneath the altar of the basilica ever since his death in 1975, until Octowhen Franco’s body was exhumed and moved to Madrid. It is a memorial to those who died in the Spanish Civil War and it is said there are over 45,000 civil war soldiers that are buried there now. It is about 14 km north of El Escorial and 68 km north of Madrid. Valle de los Caídos is Spain’s Civil War Memorial located in the Guadarrama Mountain Range (Sierra de Guadarrama), just outside of Madrid. What is Valley of the Fallen/Valle de los Caídos? Spain’s Civil War Memorial, Valley of the Fallen and why it is Controversial
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