The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) broke out when the Spanish army in Morocco when a few of the most influent generals of the Spanish Army, led by General Francisco Franco, rose up against the democratically elected Republican government, presided over by Manuel Azaña. Allegiances were not always clear-cut during this conflict. Essentially, the ranks of the Left (also known as Loyalist and Republican) comprised workers, peasants and trade unions, but also the Spanish government, Socialists, Communists and Anarchists. The Right (also known as Nationalist), was supported by rebellious factions of the army, industry, landowners, the middle classes and the Catholic Church. For various and somewhat contradictory reasons, the Loyalists received the support of the Soviet Union and European democracies, while the Nationalists were armed and equipped by the Fascist governments of Germany and Italy.

The Spanish Civil War would prove to be both fierce and bloody. Although the resources of the two sides were not that unequal, the Nationalists were better organized and received extensive material aid from Germany. The Loyalists received very little assistance from the Soviet Union and, moreover, were divided by internal conflicts between Communist, Socialist and Anarchist factions.

While European and North American volunteers fought for the Republic in the framework of the International Brigades, and a number of foreign artists and intellectuals supported the Loyalist cause, including Ernest Hemingway (who was working as a reporter and photographer) and George Orwell (who fought on the Republican side only to be prosecuted later on and thus becoming profoundly disillusioned by the rivalry in the ranks of the Left), the Nationalists were finally triumphant.

General Franco's victory marked the beginning of a forty-year dictatorship in Spain (1939-1975). In the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Hitler sought Franco's support for his own military campaign, but Spain was in no position to provide either financial or human aid. Although the Spanish Civil War had been a training field for the battles to be waged in the Second World War, Spain would play no part in the latter but agred to sponsor a small army of volunteers known as La División Azul.

Under the Franco regime Spain suffered international isolation, although in varying degrees. In 1955 the country was accepted as a member of the United Nations, and in 1970 General Franco named prince Juan Carlos his successor as the future king of Spain, thereby re-establishing the monarchy. Upon the dictator's death in 1975 King Juan Carlos I was crowned and the country set out on the long journey back to full democracy in Spain.

The Ghost Island of San Borondon

The Canary Islands, located off the northwest coast of mainland Africa, are 7 sunny Spanish paradises sharing an infamous legend: a mysterious sister island called San Borondón.

During the 15th-century Spanish conquest of the Canary Islands, an aboriginal folklore story from the islands (rooted in Celtic legend), spoke about an 8th island that was sometimes seen to the west of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. Many sailors chronicled how, in attempts to reach its shores, natural phenomenon like thick mists, winds or storms would impede clear views or access to the island, which would vanish just as fast.

Legend claims that the island was named after the Irish patron saint of travelers: Saint Brendan of Clonfert (480-576 DC), a monk from Tralee who was the first to set foot on the infamous “phantom” island. Irish-derived Canarian lore describes the monk's adventure as an ordained priest who sailed throughout the Atlantic Ocean with 14 other monks on a small vessel. Along the way, they picked up 3 other monks, encountered fire-hurling demons, floating crystal columns, and an island covered with trees and much vegetation - a Garden of Eden in a way - and their long sought “Promised Land of the Saints.” They settled on the island for 6 years when one day, while celebrating mass, the island began to move, prompting them to set sail again. They watched in amazement how the island moved in the water much like a whale and disappeared. The Irish base this legend on the assumptions that Irish sailors possibly reached, towards the end of the Middle Ages, the shores of North America or Newfoundland, Iceland and other Atlantic islands.

New in Spain

In the decades following Franco's dictatorship, Spain became a hot travel destination largely because of its beach resorts. Recent decades have shown that the country has far more to offer, including cutting-edge cuisine and exceptional wines, stunning historical and modern architecture, and fabulous art, film, and fashion. This is some of what's new.

KICKS
Since 2009, when FC Barcelona brought home every trophy a Spanish soccer club could acquire—the domestic Triple Crown (La Liga, King's Cup, and Supercopa), the UEFA European Champions League cup, and the FIFA Club World Championship—Barça has remained the acknowledged best fútbol team in the world. Archrival Real Madrid denied them the King's Cup in 2011 and La Liga in 2012, a situation that reversed itself in 2013. In 2014, the capital’s other soccer club, Atlético de Madrid, won the title for the first time in 18 years. Both Madrid teams contested the final for the UEFA Champions League.

MOVIES