Monumento a los Caídos por España (Madrid) facts for kids
| Monumento a los Caídos por España | |
_03.jpg) |
|
| Coordinates | 40°24′59″N 3°41′34″W / 40.41638°N 3.69289°W |
|---|---|
| Location | Plaza de la Lealtad, Madrid, Spain |
| Designer | Isidro González Velázquez |
| Height | c. 30 m |
| Opening date | 2 May 1840 |
| Dedicated to | Those who gave their life for Spain |
The Monument to the Fallen for Spain is a very important war memorial in Madrid, Spain. In Spanish, its name is Monumento a los Caídos por España. It is also known as the Monument to the Heroes of the Second of May. Many people simply call it el Obelisco (which means "the Obelisk"). This monument stands in the center of the Plaza de la Lealtad.
Contents
About the Monument
Where It Stands
This monument is located in the Plaza de la Lealtad. This square is between the Madrid Stock Exchange Building and the Ritz Hotel. It is also very close to the famous Paseo del Prado.
Its Size
The monument is quite tall, reaching almost 30 meters high. That's about the height of a 10-story building!
A Sad Beginning
The monument stands on a very important historical spot. This is where General Joachim Murat ordered many Spanish people to be executed. This happened after the Dos de Mayo Uprising in 1808. The uprising was a brave act of resistance against French forces.
Becoming a Memorial
For many years, people wanted a special memorial here. They wanted to honor those who fought in the uprising. Finally, the monument was officially opened on May 2, 1840. This date was chosen because it was the anniversary of the uprising.
A Wider Meaning
On November 22, 1985, something special happened. King Juan Carlos I re-opened the monument. From that day on, it became a memorial for all people who have given their lives for Spain. This includes those who died in other conflicts, not just the Peninsular War. The Peninsular War was a big conflict in Spain between 1808 and 1814.
The Eternal Flame
Since 1985, a special flame has been burning at the front of the monument. This flame is kept lit by gas. It is a symbol of never forgetting the brave people who died. Many other important war memorials around the world have similar eternal flames. These are often called the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They honor all soldiers whose names might not be known.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a los Caídos por España para niños
