The Memory of Repression: A Memory Center in Carabanchel
In the heart of Carabanchel, a neighborhood marked by history, stands the memory of a past that should not be forgotten. The old Carabanchel prison, a symbol of oppression and suffering, stands as a silent testimony of the fight for freedom and democracy.
Since the closure of the prison in 1998, neighborhood and memorial movements have fought tirelessly to turn this place into a Memory Center, a space to honor the victims of the Franco dictatorship and preserve their legacy for future generations.
The Legacy of Carabanchel Prison
Built in the immediate post-war period, the Carabanchel prison housed thousands of political prisoners, common prisoners and women in its narrow cells. Overcrowding and inhuman conditions were a constant in this prison, which became a symbol of Franco’s repression.
During the Transition, the prison was the scene of protests and demands of the prisoners, who fought for their rights and against injustice. The murder of the anarchist Agustín Rueda in 1978 marked a sad episode in the history of Carabanchel.
On September 11, 1998, the prison cells were empty, but his legacy lives on in the collective memory of Carabanchel. The neighborhood grew up in the shadow of the prison, and its history is closely linked to the fight for freedom.
The Fight for Memory: A Memory Center for Carabanchel
The Citizen Platform for the Carabanchel Prison Memory Center has led the fight to preserve the memory of the prison and turn it into a space of memory and reflection.
In 2022, the platform submitted a formal proposal for the former prison grounds to be officially classified as a place of memory under the Democratic Memory Law.
The Memory Center proposal includes objectives such as: honoring the victims of the dictatorship, promoting research and dissemination of history, and creating an educational and cultural space for new generations.
The Future of Carabanchel: Memory and Urbanization
The Partial Plan for the urbanization of the area of the old Carabanchel prison contemplates the reserve of 300,000 euros for the Memory Center project, an amount that, although insufficient, represents a step forward in citizen demands.
The PSOE Urban Planning spokesperson in Madrid has announced that the Memory Center will once again be a priority in the development of the area, which opens new hopes for its realization.
Meanwhile, the Citizen Platform for the Carabanchel Prison Memory Center continues to work tirelessly so that the memory of the prison and the fight for freedom do not fade in the collective memory.
A Living Legacy: The History of Carabanchel and the Memory of Repression
The history of Carabanchel prison is a testimony of the suffering and resistance of the Spanish people during the Franco dictatorship. It is a reminder of the importance of fighting for freedom and democracy, and of preserving the memory of those who fought for our rights.
The Carabanchel Prison Memory Center will be a space to honor the victims, promote reflection and ensure that future generations know history and do not allow the mistakes of the past to be repeated.
In the heart of Carabanchel, the memory of repression will remain alive, like a beacon that illuminates the path to a future of freedom and justice.
