GSP to PHIL to MADRID 076

Valle de los Caidos and El Escorial

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February 6th 2008
Valle de los Caidos translates to the Valley of the Fallen. It was conceived by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco to honor those who died during the Spanish Civil War and as a national act of atonement. Over 2,000 bodies are buried in a tomb in the church. The church was very beautiful since it was carved out of a mountain and overlooks El Escorial and the suburbs of Madrid. El Escorial wa ... read more

Europe » Spain » District of Madrid » El Escorial

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Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in ... ... read more