Valley of the Fallen in Villanueva de la Cañada

Awesome

What to write? This place is both tragic and a tribute to engineering. Franco claimed that the monument was meant to be a "national act of atonement" and reconciliation.It served as the burial place of Francos remains from his death in November 1975 until his exhumation on 24 October 2019, as a result of efforts to remove all public veneration of his dictatorship, and following a long and controversial legal process.The monument precinct covers over 3,360 acres (13.6 km2of Mediterranean woodlands and granite boulders on the Sierra de Guadarrama hills, more than 3,000 feet (910 mabove sea level and includes a basilica, a Benedictine abbey, a guest house, the Valley, and the Juanelos — four cylindrical monoliths dating from the 16th century. The most prominent feature of the monument is the towering 150-metre-high (500 ftChristian cross, the tallest such cross in the world, erected over a granite outcrop 150 metres over the basilica esplanade and visible from over 20 miles (32 kmaway. Work started in 1940 and took over eighteen years to complete, with the monument being officially inaugurated on 1 April 1959. According to the official ledger, the cost of the construction totalled 1,159 million pesetas, funded through national lottery draws and donations. Some of the labourers were prisoners who traded their labour for a reduction in time served.

Very somber and beautiful at the same time a memorial to everyone about another stupid waste of life and resources.

Controversial for Spaniards, but the most spectacular feat of building, and the largest cross in the world above the Basilica, which is hewn out of a granite Hill.

You pay full price but church is partly not accessible. And Franco is no more there.

Fantastic lace.

Fantastic place to visit. Must see if you are near Madrid. Really awesome experience

Incredible experience. A must-visit.

Amazing monument and an astonishing basilica. Beautiful place to visit. Lovely forests all around

Great historic place to visit for all the family

Excellent 👍 place no one should miss out on this. I enjoyed every bit of its historical relevance, its art, monuments, architecture and the location is fabulous.Please make sure you have a tour guide with you to explain everything about this magnificent and Royal place.

Beautiful monument. Wish the tour guide were more truthful about the loss of life and the p.o.w.s that were used to build it. The world needs to learn from history, not gloss over it. Civil War, as any kind of war is so destructive and wasteful.

Keeping aside all the political and ethical aspects and history with Franco associated with the monument, just the monument by itself is breathtakingly beautiful. The cross is gigantic and the view from the place is beautiful. The Basilica is massive and marvellous, but we were told that we werent allowed to take pictures inside.

Very nice place to see. There is a church inside and from the outside a very beautiful view of the city and the mountains. To go up to the main cross there used to be a tram but it was closed down for Covid and still hasn’t opened back up, I think you can also hike to the top but I could be wrong. Definitely recommend you go and visit.

Impressive in all the ways you can imagine, I have been seeing many bad reviews from people that dont seem to understand the history of Spain "aka" tourists, but I can tell you if you can cast the judgment away, youll find how beautiful and peaceful this place is.

Worth a visit, individuals who have visited will form their own opinion of the place.

Beautiful architecture and a very moving experience

An amazing place. A solemn tribute to the Fallen. It was majestic place and in some ways a little bit of a Lord of the Rings vibe with the huge statues and monuments (kept thinking of the Argonath).

Place with a great history and impressive construction inside the mountain, worth to visit before visiting El Escorial. Funicular wasn’t working the day of the visit, it looks like the National park must have some interesting hike trails, would worth a next visit with more free time.

Great opportunity for people to take a moment to understand the history. Franco was praised by the west for leading the anti-communist movement and the beginning of the high growth period known as the Spanish Miracle.

An historic and controvercial place for spaniards.Entrances: 9€ per personIn think it’s one of the rarerst church I have seen, the cross in the mountain is exactly above the altar inside.There is a hotel near to the cross: Hospederia Santa CruzThere’s no frecuent public transport to reach the basilic, the best way is in car.

An unbelievable unique place, full of history.

Take a tour to get to know this interesting landmark. Spain is full of different contradicts and controversials and this is one of those.

breathtaking, Im sorry the general is no longer there

Breathtaking building because of its history and because of the construction itself. There is a parking space right at the bottom of it, panoramic vies from the base of the building of the whole valley, nice hike up to the cross and beautiful interiors with fresco paintings and gigantic angel statues. Im agnostic so not into the religious side of it and nevertheless the feeling walking in hit me like a rock. Impressive

This is a unique place in the world. If this place were in another country it would be known all around the world. It is the largest cross ever built and it is in an amazing location. It is stunning and makes an impact on all the visitors. The church is located inside the mountain under the cross. You can feel the cold and humedity of the mountain itself. The road that brings you up there is beautiful and it is only around 40 minutes away from Madrid city centre. I higly recommed to visit it. The place itself, the sorrounding areas and you can go straight away to San Lorenzo de El Escorial which is beautiful too!

Lovely place but unless you are willing to hike around 7km from the gates to the cross or basilica, you need to get a car. From the cross to the basilica will take you approximately 30 minutes by foot on a scenic route. Very good place for architecture, nature and history lovers

Monument is a must-see if you’re into history. Tougher sell if you’re not. I visited 27 Nov 2020. Here is the information current as of that date that I used to reach site via public transportation.From Madrid, there is a bus from Moncloa Bus Station that drops off right at the Valley of the Fallen main entrance gate (see photos: outbound bus schedule for bus route 664, inbound bus schedule for same bus; bus fares). At the main entrance gate is a sign with admission prices and hours (see photo). You pay whether you drive in or walk in. The price is usually nine euros but this was discounted 50% when I visited (pandemic rate?). Main entrance has a small building where you pay for your ticket.Staff told me the walk to the monument from this entrance gate was six kilometers. It turned out to be 5.1 kilometers by road to the base of the monument (front of basilica). The road is inclined most of the way, total elevation gain from entrance gate to monument is 291 meters. Too bad there is no shuttle.

Massive and impressive architecture of a totalitarian era that, fortunately, passed away long time ago. Gotham style remaining, the church carved in the rock, is unique in its style, containing impressive rock statues and volumes. A remembrance of what shouldnt occur again. Surrounded by an impressive nature.

Touching and historical place to visit. This basilica and monastery talk about the history of Francos power and influence. I didnt feel holiness in this place because of its history.

Very spookyI went years ago when Franco was still in situ and it’s was super spooky and a tad weird.I went again just about Franco was moved and I have to say that for me, it made the place less spooky.Both times it’s been raining - which adds to the miserable feel of the place.The downside for me is the complete lack of explanations - no audio guide, no history etc. It’s almost as if the Government are ashamed of the place - it’s a total contrast to the other sites of National interest. You have to go online to discover the history of the site - which of course is not that palatable.Definitely worth a visit.The cafe is very goodPlease ‘like’ if you like 😀

This is a massive spectacle perched high on a hill with views over the surrounding hills and forests. Behind the triumphant frontage lies a basilica hewn out of the rock leading deep into the heart of the mountain. Francos tomb lies in the main part of the church and to the sides are chapels to the dead from both sides of the Spanish civil war. It is definitely a moving and thought provoking site to visit as well as a tribute to human endeavour to build such a monument.

If you have to choose one thing to do when in Madrid, this is the one thing to do. It is so majestic and humble.I been in the Vatican, and Vatican is impressive.But this Basílica prove the device that "Less is More".I will be back.

El Escorial is a city located within the Autonomous Community of Madrid, 45 km northwest of the Spanish capital of Madrid. It belongs to the Cuenca del Guadarama mosquito. Its population for 2009 was 14,979 inhabitants.

Incredible monument up on top of the mountain. The cross is huge and the insight is very special. The interior is different than of the known spanish style of churches and monuments etc so I was really surprised.

I learned whilst visiting the place, what it was intended for. Far from public belief. Definitely worth a visit. Impressive and beautiful.

Huge magnificent architecture. I spent most of my time looking up and around. Controversial site but nonetheless simply superb. Must see place. The surrounding landscape is just as beautiful. Great for a day out. Highly recommended. Can get busy at times.

This is a massive cathedral built into the side of the mountain. The giant cross obviously sits atop the mountain. This is a beautiful place as was the drive here.

Just a magnificent sight with the entrance to the basilica and the huge cross on the hill behind it. The scale and the grandeur just takes your breath away. The basilica is carve out drink the bedrock and extenda deep in where it is directly under the cross. Unfortunately, no photos are allowed, so just enjoy and take it all in.

Hidden gem in the Escorial, Madrid. I really recommend visiting wether youre a tourist or a local, specially since Franco will probably be exhumed in the following months. Close to the Valley of the Fallen youve got the Escorial Monastery, visiting both will make for a lovely day trip!

This place was breathtaking and well worth the visit. The monumental scale cannot be appreciated in the photos. The views of the mountains are phenomenal and there is a peaceful atmosphere both inside and outside the basilica. If you are visiting Madrid for at least a couple of days then the train journey to the Valley of the Fallen and El Escorial are essential sight-seeing visits.

Its now a $10€ per person entrance fee. The site resulted in being very controversial beacuae Franco is buried there. The tense atmosphere due to the different opinions kind of stained my experience. The telesferic has been closed 7 years ago, they have clean bathrooms, however the cafeteria employees can be misleading as they were charging $1€ for use to tourist and locals had it for free.A great view rewards you in the end.

Interesting place to see if you have previous knowledge of Spanish history from 1936 to present day. Not much though to see except for the basilica and the views. 9 euros for the entrance, which you can pay with card. There is a restaurant with drinks and food.

The Valle de los Caídos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈbaʎe ðe los kaˈiðos], "Valley of the Fallen"is a Catholic basilica and a monumental memorial in the municipality of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, erected at Cuelgamuros Valley in the Sierra de Guadarrama, near Madrid, conceived by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honour and bury those who died in the Spanish Civil War. Franco claimed[when?] that the monument was meant to be a "national act of atonement" and reconciliation. The Valley of the Fallen, as a surviving monument of Francos rule, and its Catholic basilica remain controversial, in part since 10% of the construction workforce consisted of convicts, some of whom were Spanish Republicanpolitical prisoners.

Almost no tourists and no que. I was in awe. A really beautful place. No cameras allowed inside the museum.

There is an unease about visiting this place. On one hand it is a monument to people who subjugated, oppressed and murdered their countrymen/women. On the other hand, as other people have suggested the architecture is a marvel and the surrounding views beautiful. The basilica itself does give a feeling of foreboding and it is incredible (not in a positive waythat people still pay their respects to Franco here. I suppose the main reason to visit, is to remember not to forget.

An amazing memorial thats been made in the side of a mountain that has a breathtaking view of Madrid. I cannot say enough how essential it is too make the trip out here. You wont regret it!

one of the highlights and wonderful panoramic view away from Madrid

Hidden place for most of these the tourist but its a must when visiting Madrid. Access Is not easy but you can find some tours.

It is a wonderful place to see. Though many Spaniards are very touchy about this monument because of its infamous history, I would say it is a must see places if you have a few hours to spare on your stay in Madrid.The place is less than a hours drive and is very scenic. The monument and its scale is breathtaking. Once you are inside the artifacts and their sizes just amaze you and make you feel like a Lilliput before their grandeur and size.For me the central dome was the masterpiece. You could sit there in the benches spend a good half an hour just watching it.When the weather is good, the view from the outside is just brilliant and view is amazing. Checkout the Photosphere that I have uploaded along with this.