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Valley of the Fallen

Carretera de Guadarrama, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Comunidad de Madrid

Description

The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) is a Benedictine Abbey, memorial and burial place for nearly 34,000 people who died during Spanish Civil War (both Nationalists and Republicans). It is mainly known for three aspects: the gigantic 150m stone cross rising above the underground crypt, its construction that involved some prisoner labour, and Franco's tomb that was located there between his death in 1975 until his exhumation and relocation to El Pardo in 2019. Both the removal of Franco's remains and the monument as a whole are matters of controversy because he remains a highly controversial topic in the country and the complex is his most visually conspicuous legacy.

Access & Transport

Address: Carretera de Guadarrama, El Escorial. The easiest way to get there from Madrid is to drive on the A6 and then take the M-600 when reaching Guadarrama for just 1km before turning right onto Carretera de Guadarrama. From El Escorial take the M-600 as well but you'll be coming in from the opposite direction (so turn left). Bus ALSA-600 connects the site with San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

Instructions & Recommendations

We recommend combining this activity with a visit of the El Escorial Monastery which is a 20' drive away.

Meta review

Not as widely known as its "neighbour" El Escorial, and on a completely different register, the site draws mostly positive comments from online reviewers for its spectacular setting, beautiful landscape with mountains and pine trees, and the original but eerie underground basilica. There are some, but recently not that many, comments taking the view that visiting is paying hommage to Franco - in a negative sense. It also appears that maintenance at the site is on a downward trend since the exhumation.

Environmental & Social

We deem this activity neutral from an environmental perspective (little heating/lighting required). Part of the country's cultural, historical and architectural heritage.

Conclusion

Let's tackle the elephant in the room: our view is that in the current environment with Franco's legacy having long been challenged by Spanish governments and the funds from entrance fees not being in any way used to back a cause associated to him, the act of visiting is a commemoration of the tragic war and its victims rather than a glorification of the person who decided to build the place. The grave relocation since 2019 conforts us further in that stance. With that in mind, we believe the Valle de los Caidos to be truly spectacular and a little otherworldly... there is a special atmosphere born from a unique combination of an underground sculpture, dominating cross and wild landscape.

Key positive

Unique structures (the cross and the crypt/underground basilica)

An opportunity to learn / revise your history books in relation with the Falange and Spanish Civil War

Key negative

A little time consuming to get to by public transport

Suitability

Suitable for all ages but best for children aged 10 and above. The underground basilica is not accessible for visitors with reduced mobility but the rest of the complex is

About this Rating

TYPE

Onsite

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit
Closed on 01 Jan, 06 Jan, 01 May, 12 Sept, 24/25 Dec, 31 Dec. Admission stops 1h before closing time

av. transport time:0h 50m

est. visit time:1h 15m

Regulated hours

Start of Season 1:Oct, 01

Season 1

MONDAY -

TUESDAY10:00 - 18:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 18:00

THURSDAY10:00 - 18:00

FRIDAY10:00 - 18:00

SATURDAY10:00 - 18:00

SUNDAY10:00 - 18:00

Start of Season 2:Apr, 01

Season 2

MONDAY -

TUESDAY10:00 - 19:00

WEDNESDAY10:00 - 19:00

THURSDAY10:00 - 19:00

FRIDAY10:00 - 19:00

SATURDAY10:00 - 19:00

SUNDAY10:00 - 19:00

Pricing
Age band
Age band
Regular price / pers.
Senior
65 - 99
€4
Adult
17 - 64
€9
Child
5 - 16
€4
Infant
0 - 4
€0
Students up to 25 years of age is 4 €. Free entrance: Wednesday and Sunday from 15h00 onward

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