Lorraine Williamson
The Spanish government will invest €30 million in a major revamp of the former Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen), now officially named Valle de Cuelgamuros.
The site, long associated with Francisco Franco’s dictatorship, is set to become an educational and historical space aligned with Spain’s democratic values.
From monument to museum
The project includes launching an international design competition, building a museum or interpretation centre, and redeveloping the surrounding site. The initiative aims to reframe the area through a constitutional and inclusive lens, moving away from its previous symbolism.
The competition, open to multidisciplinary teams of architects, historians, and heritage experts, will begin in the coming days. A panel of independent specialists — including a representative of the Catholic Church — will assess submissions. The selected proposal is expected to be announced by September 2025.
Timeline and funding
The winning team will receive €60,500 and will be commissioned to finalise the design. Development work is scheduled to take eight months, with construction anticipated to begin by the end of 2026.
Religious presence to remain
The site, which includes a vast basilica and a towering cross, remains under shared control with the Catholic Church. The government has reached an agreement with religious authorities to ensure continued access for worship, and the Benedictine order currently residing there will remain.
Religious symbols, including the 150-metre cross, will not be removed. Instead, they will be contextualised within the broader narrative of Spain’s 20th-century history.
Confronting the past
Authorities say the revised site will offer historical clarity. The future museum is expected to trace the monument’s origins, the legacy of Franco’s regime, and the impact of the Spanish Civil War.
More than 33,000 people are buried at the site, including victims from both sides of the conflict. Excavations and identification efforts are ongoing, with the goal of restoring crypts and returning remains to families where possible.
Franco’s own remains were exhumed in 2019 and relocated to a municipal cemetery. That marked a turning point in Spain’s approach to the site and opened the door to this wider transformation.
New identity for a divisive landmark
The rebranding of Valle de los Caídos to Valle de Cuelgamuros is part of a broader effort to shift its public meaning. While the monument once stood as a focal point for Francoist memory, the government’s plans signal a move towards critical engagement with Spain’s past.
The Ministry of Democratic Memory has said the redevelopment will uphold historical accuracy while fostering democratic reflection. Public access will continue throughout the transition.
By 2027, one of Spain’s most contested landmarks may finally serve a different purpose — as a space to remember, reflect, and reckon with history.