Valley of Cuelgamuros, Religious monument and memorial complex in Sierra de Guadarrama, Spain
The Valley of Cuelgamuros contains a Catholic basilica and memorial complex spanning 13.6 square kilometers at an elevation of 900 meters above sea level.
Construction of the monument occurred between 1940 and 1958, utilizing both professional workers and prisoners who received reduced sentences for their labor.
The basilica, elevated to this status by Pope John XXIII in 1960, contains a granite crypt holding remains from both sides of the Spanish Civil War.
The monument stands 9.5 kilometers north of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial and features a 150-meter cross visible from 30 kilometers away.
The underground basilica, carved from solid granite, surpasses the dimensions of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome and houses over 33,800 war casualties.
Location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Inception: 1940
Founders: Francisco Franco
Architects: Pedro Muguruza, Diego Méndez
Official opening: April 1, 1959
Height: 152.4 m
Website: https://patrimonionacional.es/visita/valle-de-cuelgamuros-0
GPS coordinates: 40.64142,-4.15694
Latest update: May 27, 2025 20:05
These burial sites document the history of European noble families. The structures range from large mausoleums to simple monuments. The architecture displays various styles from ancient Rome to modern times.
Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
5.9 km
Royal Crypt of the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
5.9 km
Mount Abantos
2.9 km
Library of the Monastery of El Escorial
5.8 km
La Jarosa Reservoir
4.1 km
Funicular of Valle de los Caídos
384 m
Cabeza Líjar
5.4 km
Paraje Pintoresco del Pinar de Abantos y Zona de La Herrería
3.7 km
Teatro Real Coliseo de Carlos III
5.7 km
Monastery and Site of the Escurial, Madrid
5.9 km
Pietà
352 m
Arboreto Luis Ceballos
5.1 km
Royal Basilica of San Lorenzo de El Escorial
5.9 km
El Campillo, El Escorial
5.5 km
Pontifical Basilica of the Holy Cross
356 m
La Jarosa Dam
4.2 km
Museo Cocheras del Rey
5.7 km
Abbey of the Holy Cross
142 m
Casa 3.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
5.7 km
Casa de los Infantes (dependencia del Monasterio)
5.7 km
Cross of Valle de Cuelgamuros
138 m
Casa 2.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
5.7 km
Casa de Peláez o del Infante D. Gabriel
5.8 km
Casa de la Reina (dependencia del Monasterio)
5.7 km
Casa 1.ª de Oficios (dependencia del Monasterio)
5.7 km
Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Gracia, San Lorenzo de El Escorial
5.7 km
Church of St. Lawrence the Martyr
5.4 km
Ermita de San Macario
4.5 kmReviews
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