Fort San Cristóbal (Spain) facts for kids
The Fort Alfonso XII, also known as San Cristóbal, is a large fort found on top of Mount San Cristóbal (or Ezcaba). This mountain is about 893 meters high and is located 4 kilometers from Pamplona, Spain. The fort was built after the Carlist War (1872-1876) to protect a key area overlooking Pamplona. Later, during the Second Spanish Republic and the Spanish Civil War, it was used as a prison. It is known for a large prison break attempt that happened there.
Contents
Building the Fort: A Stronghold for Pamplona
The Fort Alfonso XII was built after the Carlist War (1872-1876). During that war, a group called the Carlists were able to attack Pamplona. They used powerful artillery from the mountains around the city.
Because of new, stronger artillery, military leaders realized they needed better defenses. They decided to build forts on high ground near important towns. The Fort San Cristóbal was one such project. Another example is the Fort San Marcos near San Sebastián.
Construction of the fort began in 1878 and finished in 1919. Workers blasted away part of the mountaintop. Most of the fort is actually underground, so it's hard to see from the outside. It has three floors and covers a huge area of 180,000 square meters. The entire facility, including a surrounding moat, spans 615,000 square meters.
From Fortress to Prison: A Difficult Time
After a workers' uprising in 1934, about 750 people were held as prisoners in the fort. Most of them were later set free in February 1936. This happened when a new government came to power and offered amnesty, meaning they were pardoned.
When the Spanish Civil War began in July 1936, the fort was again used as a prison. The number of people held there grew to more than 2,000. Many of these prisoners were civilians who disagreed with the new military leaders.
The Great Escape Attempt of 1938
On May 22, 1938, many prisoners planned a massive escape. A total of 792 prisoners managed to get out of the fort. However, one of the guards quickly alerted the authorities in Pamplona.
Military forces in the area immediately started a search for the escapees. Sadly, only three prisoners managed to reach the French border and safety. Most were caught in the days that followed. About 585 prisoners were arrested and brought back. Tragically, 211 were killed during the manhunt.
Fourteen of the arrested prisoners were believed to be the leaders of the escape. They were sentenced to death. The military leaders tried to make it seem like the escapees were dangerous criminals, not political prisoners.
Life and Closure of the Prison
Those who survived the escape attempt and were brought back faced very harsh conditions. Many suffered from hunger and illness. Over 400 prisoners died inside the fort due to these conditions.
In 1988, a special sculpture was put up to remember the people who died at the fort. The Fort Alfonso XII stopped being a prison in 1945.
Today, the Ministry of Defence still owns the fort. The last soldiers left it in 1991. Even though there have been plans to restore the fort and give it a new purpose, it remains abandoned and in ruins. In 2001, it was officially recognized as a "good of cultural interest."
See also
In Spanish: Fuerte de Alfonso XII (Navarra) para niños
Images for kids
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Memorial erected in the surroundings of mount Ezcaba to the victims of the 1936 military uprising, frequently sabotaged and covered with fascist graffiti
