The Valley of the Fallen

The Valley of the Fallen is a large monument near Madrid, Spain, built between 1940 and 1959 to honor those who died during the Spanish Civil War. It features an impressive basilica carved into a mountainside and a towering cross that rises above the landscape. The site was constructed using thousands of prisoners' labor and has been a subject of controversy due to its association with Franco’s dictatorship. Today, it serves as a memorial and tourist attraction, symbolizing Spain’s complex history and the dual narratives of remembrance and reconciliation.