Complex History of Spain: Belchite

The other day we took a trip to a nearby town of Belchite.  It is about an hour away from Zaragoza, but a nice drive through a landscape that reminded us of driving through Kamloops: deserty looking hills with very green grass at the foothills.

Belchite is a small village with big history.  In 1937, during the Spanish civil war, Franco was fighting the socialist-communist forces and the village was one of the key gateways to Zaragoza.  The little town was almost leveled to the ground in fierce fighting.  Supposedly British, US and other allied forces fought Franco's army, but eventually they lost.  Some 6000 people lost their lives there.  After the war, Franco ordered the people of the village to build a new village besides the destroyed one, leaving the ruins as a reminder of his victory and his enemies' defeat. (you can find more info on the history of Belchite here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belchite_(1937) )
We got there on a very sunny day, which certainly helped when seeing what remained of once tranquil village.  It is amazing that some structures of houses, 2 churches and a convent are still standing, while significantly Tedder prates since their day time.

We walked into the main church and it was amazing to see some of the decorations still in tact.  It was, though, an eerie feeling, trying to walk through a skeleton of a village.  Many people say you can hear ghosts in the village.  At one point we heard a children's quite singing, very clearly.  Could have been from the new village, or...

It was an interesting experience, and a reminder that peace comes at at a significant price at times.  Even the children felt sad seeing such destruction and desolation.

After, we went to the new village, kids played in the nice park and we went back to Zaragoza.  A very special experience.


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Anatolijus