Lorraine Williamson
Eighty years after Spain’s Civil War and nearly half a century since the death of dictator Francisco Franco, echoes of the regime still linger—etched into the official names of Spanish villages. And despite a national law banning such tributes, not a single fine has been issued.
Six villages across Spain still bear names glorifying Franco or key figures of his dictatorship. A law passed in 2022 was meant to change that. It hasn’t.
A law with no muscle
Spain’s Democratic Memory Law, approved in October 2022, prohibits any public homage to the Franco regime—including names of streets, buildings, and entire municipalities. The law allows fines of up to €10,000. But enforcement hinges on the publication of a national catalogue of banned names and symbols. That catalogue still doesn’t exist.
Without it, local councils are not legally compelled to act—even if they are technically in breach of national law.
Where Franco still lives on—by name
These six villages remain unchanged:
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Llanos del Caudillo (Ciudad Real)
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Alberche del Caudillo (Toledo)
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Villafranco del Guadiana (Badajoz)
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Alcocero de Mola (Burgos)
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Quintanilla de Onésimo (Valladolid)
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San Leonardo de Yagüe (Soria)
Each name references a key regime figure—Franco himself or generals like Mola and Yagüe, or fascist ideologue Onésimo Redondo. In most cases, these names were imposed during the dictatorship and have remained untouched for decades.
Local resistance and political apathy
Most of the remaining Franco-era villages lie in conservative regions like Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Castilla y León, where regional governments show little urgency to comply. Officials say they’re waiting for the official list. Critics argue they’re stalling on purpose.
In Alberche del Caudillo, a name change process was launched but quickly abandoned. In other towns, there’s no sign of movement at all.
Breaking the pattern: a village in Málaga leads the way
One exception stands out. In Villafranco del Guadalhorce, a small hamlet in Málaga province, change finally came. As of 1 August 2025, it is officially known as Villa del Guadalhorce.
The local council—led by a coalition of PSOE, Izquierda Unida, and 100% Alhaurín—voted in favour of the change. The right-wing PP and far-right Vox opposed it. The move marks a rare example of political will overcoming nostalgia and local resistance.
A growing movement or isolated action?
This isn’t the first time a Franco-linked place name has been dropped. In 2020, Guadiana del Caudillo dropped the dictator’s title and became simply Guadiana. In Palencia, Franco has been stripped of his titles as honorary president and adoptive son.
But progress is piecemeal, and there’s no coordinated national effort—yet.
Documents, not just names, set for declassification
The Spanish government is also preparing to declassify secret documents from the dictatorship era as part of a wider push for historical reckoning. The aim is to shed light on abuses committed during Franco’s rule and offer long-denied recognition to victims and their families.
A lawyer’s warning: the law exists, but is ignored
Legal expert Eduardo Ranz, who has long followed the issue, warns that until enforcement begins, the law is little more than symbolic. “The legislation is clear, the infractions are visible, the penalties are defined. But there are no consequences,” he says.
Historical reckoning in limbo
Spain’s effort to confront its past remains half-finished. The Democratic Memory Law promised justice and clarity—but for now, six villages remain monuments to a dictatorship Spain claims to have moved on from. Whether these names disappear may depend less on law than on political courage.
Sources: ELPAÍS, La Opinión de Málaga