RTVE has premiered a documentary titled "Cuelgamuros: entre lo difícil y lo imposible" in San Sebastián, showcasing the interior of the Cuelgamuros crypts [1, 2].
The film provides a rare look into one of Spain's most controversial historical sites, exposing the physical state of the burial chambers. By documenting the decay and layout of the crypts, the project brings renewed attention to the historical memory associated with the Valle de los Caídos.
The production team, led by screenwriter Belén Alonso, captured the extreme environmental conditions within the site [1, 2]. The footage highlights a cramped, damp environment where water constantly seeps through the mountain walls [2]. This accessibility is significant because approximately 70 years have passed since the crypts were sealed [2].
Alonso described the visual impact of the site during the production process. "You don't see a mountain of boxes, what you see is a mountain of bones," Alonso said [2].
The documentary focuses on the difficulty of accessing these spaces and the atmospheric pressure of the location. The team recorded the constant presence of humidity and the leaking stone [2]. "It is a place that impresses, with a lot of humidity, with a mountain that is oozing water all the time," Alonso said [2].
By filming in these restricted areas, RTVE aims to document the historical significance of the site and the physical reality of the remains housed there [1, 2]. The premiere in San Sebastián marks the first public unveiling of these specific images, offering a visual record of the crypts' current state after decades of closure [1, 2].
“"You don't see a mountain of boxes, what you see is a mountain of bones,"”
The release of this footage transforms the Cuelgamuros crypts from a closed historical symbol into a documented physical reality. By exposing the deterioration and the scale of the remains, the documentary adds a visceral dimension to the ongoing Spanish debate over the management of Francoist burial sites and the laws of historical memory.
