Meet your guide at the Plaza Mayor and step into one of the most divisive periods in Spanish history. Follow the storey of Madrid from the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War to Franco’s dictatorship and Spain’s return to democracy.

Walk through streets that witnessed bombardments, political violence, resistance, censorship, and social transformation. Explore how ideology shaped daily life and discover why memories of this conflict remain present in Spain today.

Through monuments, public spaces, artworks, and hidden stories, understand how Madrid became both a battlefield and a symbol of resilience.

Hear how Madrid quickly became a central symbol of resistance. The Battle of Madrid turned the city into a frontline, embodying the Republican struggle against Franco’s Nationalist forces, who were supported by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

Although Madrid resisted longer than expected, the Republican defeat led to nearly four decades of dictatorship, marked by repression, censorship, political persecution, and enforced silence.

Learn about cultural resistance and transformation. Hear how artists such as Pablo Picasso responded to war and dictatorship through art, while later movements like the Movida reflected the explosion of freedom and creativity following Franco’s death.

Discover political milestones, such as the Moncloa Pacts, and see how Spain chose negotiation and compromise to transition peacefully towards democracy.

By walking through Madrid, understand how the city reflects a republic haunted by Francoism, in which symbols of resistance coexist with authoritarian legacies, and a society that reinvented itself culturally and politically.

Please note that you can choose between 2 options for this tour, both including tickets for the public transport system:
-A short version including a 2 hours visit of Madrid
-A long version including a 2 hours visit of Madrid + the visit and tickets to the Reina Sofia Museum