Cracks and manures in the Pyramid of the Italians, the fascist monument that Vox insisted on protecting in Castilla y León
The Pyramid of the Italians, a fascist monument in northern Burgos, remains neglected despite its recent designation as a Cultural Asset of Interest by the regional government.
The Pyramid of the Italians, located in the Valdebezana Valley of northern Burgos, is a fascist monument that served as a mausoleum for soldiers sent to the Spanish Civil War by Mussolini. Recently designated as a Cultural Asset of Interest by the Junta de Castilla y León, the monument is currently neither maintained nor accessible to the public, leading to ongoing concerns about its state of neglect. Despite the political implications of its protection, it is left surrounded by barriers and deteriorating conditions. A political message has been symbolically conveyed through an inverted warning sign 'Danger! Falling rocks', highlighting the area’s precarious condition.
The monument has been closely tied to the political party Vox, which has championed its preservation as part of their agenda to protect Spain's historical memory associated with the Franco regime and the Spanish Civil War. This move has drawn criticism from various sectors, as many see it as an effort to legitimize the fascist past rather than critically engage with it. Moreover, Vox's role in this designation raises questions about the relationship between modern politics in Spain and its historical narratives, particularly in regions still grappling with the aftermath of the Civil War.
The conditions in which the Pyramid of the Italians is situated—surrounded by a fence and signs of neglect—reflect broader societal debates over monuments commemorating controversial historical figures and events. As discussions about historical memory continue to unfold in Spain, the fate of places like this pyramid becomes a focal point for understanding how society chooses to remember or forget its past. The monument's ongoing deterioration serves as a visual indication of the unresolved tensions within Spanish history and politics today.