Plizio Visual Lab
Valley of the Fallen
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
monument
The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) is a monumental complex in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid, built between 1940 and 1959 under the direction of Francisco Franco. The site features a massive 150-meter-high cross, carved from the granite of the Cuelgamuros mountain, and a basilica excavated deep within the rock. The basilica is 262 meters long, making it one of the longest subterranean churches in the world. The complex was intended to honor the fallen of the Spanish Civil War, though it has been criticized as a symbol of Francoist victory. In 2019, the remains of Franco and Primo de Rivera were exhumed and moved to a family grave, sparking ongoing debates about the monument's future. Currently, the site is a tourist attraction and a focal point for discussions about historical memory. Annual visitor numbers exceed 400,000, and the surrounding forest park covers 300 hectares.
- Location: Galicia, Spain
- Top sights: Posición Picazuelo · Abantos · Cerro de la Carrasqueta
- Nearby: Guadarrama (6 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 4 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 14 | 8 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 38 | 39 | 48 | 52 | 43 | 22 | 9 | 14 | 24 | 66 | 54 | 40 |
📋 Practical info
Visiting
The Valley of the Fallen is a monumental memorial and basilica that can be visited. You can see the interior of the basilica and the cross. It is a controversial site commemorating the victims of the Spanish Civil War.
Typical hours
The site is typically open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, in summer until 19:30. On holidays it may be closed. Check opening hours on the official website before traveling.
Photography
Photography without flash is allowed inside the basilica. Outside on the grounds you can freely photograph. Respect the dignity of the site and avoid disruptive behavior.
Time needed
A visit to the basilica and grounds takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. If you also want to visit the museum, allow an additional 30 minutes.
Combine with
Combine the visit with a trip to the nearby Escorial Palace or the town of El Escorial. The Sierra de Guadarrama also has hiking opportunities.
Getting there
The Valley of the Fallen is about 60 km northwest of Madrid in the Sierra de Guadarrama. By car, take the M-600 highway; there is a large parking lot. Buses leave from Madrid's Moncloa bus station, journey about 1 hour.
Insider tip
Visit on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds. Weather can be changeable in the mountains, so pack a rain jacket. Inform yourself in advance about the political significance of the site.
Geography
Facts
- The cross is 150 meters (492 ft) tall, with a base of 22 meters below ground; its arms span 46 meters.
- The basilica is 262 meters (860 ft) long, making it the second longest church in Spain after the Cathedral of Seville.
- Over 33,000 combatants from both sides of the Civil War are interred in the crypts.
- The project cost approximately 1 billion pesetas (about €60 million in today's currency).
- The complex includes a Benedictine abbey with a community of 20 monks who maintain the site.
- In 2020, the government announced plans to convert the site into a museum of memory, though no final decision has been made.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Valley of the Fallen (8)
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
How high is the cross?
The stone cross is 150 meters high and visible from far away.
What is located beneath the cross?
A massive basilica that was carved into the rock.
Is Franco still buried there?
No, his remains were moved to the Mingorrubio cemetery in 2019.
How to get there from Madrid?
There is a direct bus connection (line 660) from San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
What is the dress code?
As it is a religious site, respectful clothing is required (shoulders and knees covered).
Valley of the Fallen: where is it located?
Valley of the Fallen is located in Galicia, Spain.
Valley of the Fallen: what is there to see?
Highlights include Posición Picazuelo, Abantos, Cerro de la Carrasqueta.
Valley of the Fallen: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug, Sep.
Valley of the Fallen: why is it worth visiting?
The Valley of the Fallen (Valle de los Caídos) is a monumental complex in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid, built between 1940 and 1959 under the direction of Francisco Franco.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Spain →
Nearby cities
Valladolid
Valladolid is located in central Spain on the Pisuerga River.
Móstoles
Móstoles is a suburb of Madrid and one of the most populous municipalities in the region.
Alcalá de Henares
Alcalá de Henares is located near Madrid and is the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes.
Fuenlabrada
Fuenlabrada is a city south of Madrid that evolved from a small village into a major industrial and residential hub.
Leganés
Leganés is a major city within the Madrid metropolitan area.
Getafe
Getafe is located south of Madrid and is considered the geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula.
Burgos
Burgos is located in Castile and Leon in northern Spain.
Alcorcón
Alcorcón is a large city in the southwest of the Madrid metropolitan area.
Logroño
Logroño is the capital of the La Rioja wine region in northern Spain.
Torrejón de Ardoz
Torrejón de Ardoz is located east of Madrid.
Alcobendas
Alcobendas is located north of Madrid and is known as a dynamic economic center.
Parla
Parla is a large city south of Madrid.
Cáceres
City in Extremadura with one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, surrounded by Moorish walls.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is an elegant Spanish city known for its magnificent Renaissance architecture, historic palaces, and proximity to the stunnin…
Coslada
Coslada, a suburb of Madrid, is a modern logistics hub boasting excellent transport links and green spaces.
