The Valley of the Fallen is a monument located in San Lorenzo del Escorial, 37 miles from Madrid, and erected in honor of those who died during the Spanish Civil War. It is also the mausoleum of the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, regarding this function the monument is possibly the most controversial structure in Spain. The quasi underground Benedictine abbey is the base of the huge cross 500 feet tall. Such dimensions turn the cross is the world’s largest cross and the basilica, 850 feet long, the longest in the Christian world.

Cross and Abbey of the Valley of the Fallen

©Neticola

This unique structure was built between 1940 and 1958 using political prisoners of the Franco regime as workers. Its designers are the architects Pedro and Diego Mendez Maguruza, although the sculptures accompanying the cross are a Juan de Avalos y Taborada creation. Together with the Universidad Laboral de Gijón, it is the most prominent example of the original Spanish Neo-Herrerian style.

Are you interesting in visit The Valley of the Fallen? You can do it included in a half-day tour including also El Escorial monastery or included in a full-day tour including El Escorial monastery and a walking tour in Toledo.

Cuatro Torres Business Area is the most recently incorporation to Madrid skyline. As its name indicates –cuatro means four in Spanish- this business district has four towers: Torre Bankia, Torre Espacio, Torre de Cristal and Torre PwC. Now a days, Torre Bankia, with its 820 feet, is the tallest building in Spain. This skyscrapers mainly host offices, but PwC Tower holds a hotel, too.

Cuatro Torres Business Area

This four towers started to be built between 2004 and 2009, from that moment on they changed the city skyline forever. They are located at the end of Paseo de la Castellana and continue the incredible parade of modern building flanking this avenue. The area still under continuous expansion. The last building incorporated to the complex is the Madrid International Convention Center. It still under construction.

Getting to know the incredible architecture of Paseo de la Castellana is a must-to for architecture-lovers visiting Madrid. Take the bus number 147 at Nuevos Ministerios, get a seat next to a window and enjoy the amazing Madrid architecture.

Find things to do in Madrid, Spain, one of the world’s trendiest destination.

 

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