El Escorial y Valle de los Caidos

We went to the Escorial, which was a palace designed by Felipe IV which has a ton of famous art, and many different rooms. It also contains the Panteon-which is where all of the royalty of Spain are buried. It was soo crazy-all of these kings and leaders we have been learning about all in the same place! It was very interesting! The valle de Los Caidos is a cathedral in the mountains that was constructed by the dictator Franco, as a place to commemorate those who died during the Spanish civil war (which took place during 1936-39). It is a very controversial building, because Franco built it with the help of political prisoners, many of whom died. Also, this cathedral is meant as a resting place for those who died during the war, from both sides. Though the families of people who died (who were on the opposite side of Franco) don’t want them in the same place as this horrible ruler. Franco is also buried here in the church. The cathedral was the most eerie place I have ever been inside. It was dimly lit and was build to simulate a sepulcher. There were statues of hooded angels with their heads bowed down throughout the church, and it was just a very beautiful, yet completely unsettling place to be. I felt as though that these physical features truly embodied the emotional and ideological discomfort that surround that building. The outside provided a completely stark contrast to the church. The sun shining on the mountains was so amazingly beautiful. Megan and I skipped around and sang “The hills are alive”…pretty typical for us :)