Who has been to Francisco Franco's grave? the ruler who dominated Spain for 36 years during the most turbulent period in the world, from the youngest general to a old regent, a definitely very crucial figure.
Its name is "Valle de los caidos" fallens' valley, I haven't been there. It's a very controversial place because, although it was built in order to remember those fallen in the spanish civil war and there are buried soldiers of both sides, it was built mostly by political prisioners and cost a fortune in times of great shortage. And it's considered a symbol of Franco's victory and dictatorship. Here is a foto:
I have been there. Its full name is el Monumento Nacional de Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caidos (the National Monument of the Holy Cross of the Valley of the Fallen). The scale of the site is enormous... I have heard it was the largest architectural work undertaken in Europe during the last century! The cross that you see in Adrenio's picture is called the Holy Cross of the Valley of the Fallen.... it dominates the whole area and can be seen from many miles away, though the rest of the National Monument is shrouded by mountains. As I understand, it is the tallest cross of its kind in the world (around 150 metres tall). I found it a very, very sad and strange spectacle, and as Andrenio correctly states it is a controversial place. It was really built to commemorate those who died in support of Franco during the Spanish Civil War and to commemorate Franco's triumph over the Republicans: it isn't really a monument to all those who fell during the war. It is an impressive site, and although you cannot help but marvel at the scale of the building, it left me a little cold. The whole period of the Spanish Civil War to me holds a great personal fascination. I believe it was such an important war ideologically that it deserves to be remembered.... I am not sure that this is the best monument though. If anyone is interested in finding out more about this key time in Spain's history, there is a simplified introduction to this very complicated period here: Spanish Civil War
i was there a few years ago. just like what franko1 said, the scale of the place is huge. when you first walk in, there are these 2 big statues of angels of death. then you proceed down this hallway that's very reminicient of the Wizard of Oz. there are more angels of death (4 i think) in the main nave of the church. the general feeling of being there was kinda creepy to me. so much death involved.
BRING IT DOWN!!!! is only a reminder of franco's dictatorship..... if you want to know something about the spanish civil war read Dulce Chacon's "LA VOZ DORMIDA", watch Ken Loach's "TIERRA Y LIBERTAD"..... and to all the Spanish poeple I beg you forgive our italians fascists grandfathers who bombed your republicans grandfathers.... ciao
If we bring it down we erease a pice of history, and if we do that with everything we cant learn from the errors of the past.
Right....... I agree. Since I'm reading now another great book about those awful times, TRECE ROSAS ROJAS, I suggest not to bring it down, but enhancing it with rememberings of all the people who died....... adding some stone like HERE LIES A BRUTAL FASCIST DICTATOR WHOSE BLOODY HANDS ARE RESPONSIBLE OF THE DEATH OF ALL THOSE PEOPLE: and ALL the names following!!! Don't know if there's enough stone yet!! PEACE AND FUCK PP
Lately I found out an interesting fact to those stoners who come to this forum: under last years of Franco's rule, marijuana is widely used and faced no government crackdown, while under subsequent democratic government a "war on drugs" like the one in US started. What an irony, when a "fascist" is willing to leave the stoner culture alone while democracy being intolerant. Read this: http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/3257.html an article my friend showed me.
