Valley of the Fallen Monument

The Valley of the Fallen is a monumental complex of basilica, crypt and a towering cross located near San Lorenzo de El Escorial in the Community of Madrid, built between 1940 and 1958. It was commissioned under Francisco Franco as a national memorial for those killed during the Spanish Civil War.

The central feature is a basilica carved into the rock with a large underground crypt and an external esplanade topped by a 150-metre-high cross. The complex also includes a Benedictine abbey established at the site.

Built in the post-war period, the memorial was constructed using vast manual labour and was intended as a Francoist monument; it has been the subject of sustained controversy over its political symbolism. Franco was interred there in 1975 and his remains were removed and reburied elsewhere in 2019.

The Valley sits on a hill west-northwest of central Madrid, near the town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial and a short drive from the historic monastery of El Escorial.

• Construction history: Construction took place from 1940 to 1958 using labour that included prisoners and conscripts; the site has been the subject of political controversy.
• Recent history: Francisco Franco was interred at the site in 1975 and his remains were exhumed and moved in 2019, an event that renewed public debate about the monument’s role.

What to See#

• Basilica and crypt: The basilica and underground crypt carved into the rock form the central devotional space and originally housed the tombs of many who died in the Spanish Civil War.
• Monumental cross: The monumental cross dominates the site and marks the summit of the artificial hill surrounding the basilica complex, visible from surrounding roadways.

The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) lies northwest of Madrid near San Lorenzo de El Escorial and is most conveniently reached by car from Madrid via the A-6/N-VI motorway (approximately 40-50 km, about a 40-60 minute drive depending on traffic). From San Lorenzo de El Escorial town centre the basilica/monument is a short local drive or taxi ride (a few kilometres); there are also local buses and tourist shuttles from El Escorial that stop close to the site.

• Arrive early on a weekday when the site opens or late afternoon to avoid the busiest coach parties and to have clearer sightlines for photos of the huge cross and basilica.
• Use the official main parking/visitor entrance at the complex and follow on-site signage - everything (basilica, esplanade and sculptural group) is concentrated, so plan a single loop rather than trying to walk the whole surrounding parkland.
• Don't miss the carved basilica interior and the exterior viewpoints around the esplanade for panorama shots of the monument against the Sierra; check the site's official opening times before you go as access can vary for events or maintenance.