Envision, if you will, a silent sentinel. That’s the Monumento a los caídos en el cuartel de la Montaña. It stands as a poignant reminder of a tumultuous past. This war memorial commemorates those who fell during the first military operation of the Spanish Civil War in Madrid.
The Monumento a los caídos en el cuartel de la Montaña marks a crucial moment. Republicans took the Cuartel de la Montaña on July 20 1936. General Fanjul had barricaded himself inside.
Look closely at the excavated slope. It rises from the fork in the stairway. The stairway ascends from Calle Ferraz to the gardens. A parapet of carved sandstone sandbags supports it.
Notice the mutilated bronze figure. It is expressive and hangs horizontally. This represents the honored victims. A bronze plaque embedded in the ground displays a dedication. It reads: “1936 – A los Caídos en el Cuartel de la Montaña – 1972.” This inscription marks the beginning and the date of the monument’s unveiling.
Joaquín Vaquero Turcios created this sculpture. It was unveiled in 1972. This followed the expansion of the Parque del Oeste. The expansion occurred on the hill where the Cuartel de la Montaña once stood. Before its destruction, the area was known as Montaña del Príncipe Pío.
Observe the conceptual abstract sculpture. Landscaping complements the monument. Cypress trees stand on both sides. Palmetto groups flank the stairway. Ornamental lighting enhances the memorial.
The Cuartel de la Montaña has great notoriety. It was the site of the military uprising’s start in Madrid in July 1936. The building was almost destroyed during the Civil War. It was later demolished.
Consider the dimensions. The monument measures 3.30 x 12.00 x 3.50 meters. The bronze figure itself measures 1.50 x 5.00 x 0.50 meters. The primary material is sandstone.
The Monumento a los caídos en el cuartel de la Montaña echoes another work. Luis Gutiérrez Soto created a mural. It features a similar motif of a wounded warrior. This mural is in the Edificio de la Unión y el Fénix.
Take a moment to reflect. The Monumento a los caídos en el cuartel de la Montaña stands near the Templo de Debod. It serves as a place for remembrance. It honors those who lost their lives in a conflict.