Valle de los Caidos

Arriving at the Basilica, I am immediately impressed by the size of the monument and its engineering. The cross is 150 meters tall. The central door enters the Basilica which has been carved out of the living rock.

Not only carved out of the rock, but it goes into the mountain side 250 meters. The church has a classic cruciform design with a central alter ... directly below the cross. This is what you see as you enter and look toward the central alter.

Here is the central alter, looking back toward the entrance. The huge cross is directly overhead. Franco's tomb is in the foreground. On Sunday, May 28, 2000 there were fresh flowers laying on the grave. Many people living today in Spain were alive during the war. Almost of all of them have stong feeling about Franco and this chapter in Spain's history.

In 1936 Nationalist generals, including Franco, rose up against the Republican government. The Nationalists prevailed in 1939 with support from Hitler and Mussolini. After the war, thousands of Republican troops were executed and the rest built this place. Spain was internationally isolated until the US brought it into the international community in the 1950's. 

From the entrance, you drive several kilometers through a pine forest. Many of the trees are 200 years old. Newer ones result from reforestation by Franco 60 years ago. And you arrive at the Basilica. This truly is a beautiful setting.

If there's one thing Spaniards love, it's a Plaza. This particular one is dramatic with the Sierra Guadarama mountains in the background. Sunlight and shadow play with each other on this fine Spring day. We will have thunder storms later in the day.

From the Basilica, there is a funicular that goes to the base of the cross. Today the funicular is closed. Around the back of the mountain, there's a path allowing pilgrims to walk to the base of the cross. It's about an hours walk. During religious events, some pilgrims make the journey on their knees.

There is also an elevator that allows visitors to go up inside the cross. At the top, there are said to be fine views of the surrounding countryside. It too is closed today, so I had to be satisfied with these pictures of the base of the cross. This sculpture is about 5 times bigger than life size.

There is also an elevator that allows visitors to go up inside the cross. At the top, there are said to be fine views of the surrounding countryside. It too is closed today, so I had to be satisfied with these pictures of the base of the cross. This sculpture is about 5 times bigger than life size.

There is also an elevator that allows visitors to go up inside the cross. At the top, there are said to be fine views of the surrounding countryside. It too is closed today, so I had to be satisfied with these pictures of the base of the cross. This sculpture is about 5 times bigger than life size.

There is also an elevator that allows visitors to go up inside the cross. At the top, there are said to be fine views of the surrounding countryside. It too is closed today, so I had to be satisfied with these pictures of the base of the cross. This sculpture is about 5 times bigger than life size.

Looking down the back side of the mountain from the cross, there is a monastery.You can just see the silver BMW we are leasing in Spain at the right edge of the frame. From here, it is the closest car, See it?