SPAIN: Empty Tomb

Within hours of the end of Spain's Civil War in 1939, Francisco Franco ordered the construction of a monument to the Nationalists who died fighting for him. With labor recruited from political prisoners anxious to reduce their sentences, work began in 1940 and continued for the next 18 years.

This summer the $40 million Valle de los Caidos (Valley of the Fallen) was thrown open to the public. It is built on a scale to rival the pyramids. On the rocky crest of one of the foothills of the snow-capped Guadarrama Range sits a sparkling, 5OO-ft., white granite cross, visible...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!