We are English and live in Spain and went to see El Valle de los Caidos as part of our quest to understand Spanish history and culture. The drive through the valley to the actual monument was evocative, as we left the main road and the sounds of traffic behind, there was eery silence and occasional birdsong, it was an... More

From the one hand is the beauty of the scenery and from the other hand is the megalomania of Franco who conceived this monument, that leaves you speechless. A must visit for sure! More

This monument its dedicated to the fallen of the Spanish Civil War, it is also the grave of the Dictator Franco, that ruled Spain for several years. It's a Cathedral built inside a huge rock, with fabolous statues inside. It is also, a very important place for spanish catolics, especially for those who families lived the civil war. It is... More

Dictators do not spare money for their monuments and build things to impress and to last. This is the case for the Valle de los Caidos. The whole complex is spectacular and the church is very very unique... all dug into a mountain. More

Here are the republicans killed by the ultra catholic dictator Franco. There are the graves of Franco and other dictator named Primo de Rivera. Here is one of the most dark side of Spanish History. But this is a place of pilgrimage of ultra right parties (like Falange or Partido Popular, who think that Franco or Primo de Rivera where... More

I visited El Valle de los Caidos very quickly, as part of a lightning tour of the historic monuments to the north of Madrid, but it made a great impression on me. The cross can be seen from miles away, set on an islolated rocky spur of the Sierra de Guadarrama, and although my Spanish speaking host briefly highlighted its... More

During my first trip to Madrid 15 years ago I missed the "Valley of the Fallen," unaware of its existence. This trip my American friend who lives in Madrid suggested we see this site, which is a monument to the casualties in the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). A half-hour outside of Madrid, up in the forested hills, the immense, 500-foot... More

If you have a few extra days in Madrid and are interested in modern history it is definitely worth going to see el Valle de los Caidos. I would recommend going after having visited el Escorial so that you time in such a way to get that extra je ne sais pas quoi feeling and are still able to admire... More

If you read other reviews they say get off at the Cruce de Cuelgamuros stop on the 664 bus , this is not adviseable as it is then a five mile walk uphill ( some people say 3 miles but we were told 5 at the bus stop ) , it looks like there used to be a bus service... More