CENTRO DOCUMENTAL DE LA MEMORIA HISTORICA. MASONIC LODGE
45 minutes
The General Archive of the Civil War is located on Calle Gibraltar in Salamanca. It occupies a Baroque building, constructed in the 18th century by architect Joaquín de Churriguera to house foundlings. State-owned, it was created in 1999, later becoming part of the Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica. Inside, it safeguards the most important collection of documents from the period between 1936 and 1978. It features a permanent exhibition on the Spanish Civil War and Spanish Freemasonry.
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Free visit price
- Individual - 0.00 €
The Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica (CDMH) is a state archive created in 2007. Its objective is to gather and organize all documentary collections related to the historical period between the Spanish Civil War and the Constitution of 1978.
The archive's history dates back to 1936. When the Civil War broke out, Salamanca became the headquarters of Franco's General Command. This building was used as a storage facility for documents seized by Francoist troops as the conflict progressed. After Franco's death, the archive came under the Ministry of Culture. Initially, the holdings constituted a section of the National Historical Archive. In 1999, the General Archive of the Spanish Civil War was created, which is currently integrated into the Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica.
The CDMH has two buildings in the city of Salamanca, one located on Calle Gibraltar and the other, more recent, on Plaza de Los Bandos. The CALLE GIBRALTAR HEADQUARTERS comprises two attached buildings connected by an underground passage. The first of these properties, the original seat of the Civil War Archive, is a historic building constructed in the 18th century, while the second dates from 1999. The original building was constructed by architect Joaquín de Churriguera as a home for Foundlings (Niños Expósitos), dependent on the Salamanca Cathedral Chapter. As a result of the Desamortización (disentailment of church and communal lands), the building passed into private hands, and in 1903 it was purchased by the San Ambrosio Foundation, which established its school there. Currently, the former Colegio de San Ambrosio houses the work and administration rooms, the researchers' room, and a permanent exhibition on the Civil War and Freemasonry.
The second property is located between the old archive building and the Casa de Lis. It is particularly striking as it is a modern building with a curved façade made entirely of glass and metal. It is intended as a document depository with over 7 kilometers of holdings from the Documentary Services of the Presidency of the Government and the Special Tribunal for the Repression of Freemasonry and Communism from the Franco era.
The archive's history dates back to 1936. When the Civil War broke out, Salamanca became the headquarters of Franco's General Command. This building was used as a storage facility for documents seized by Francoist troops as the conflict progressed. After Franco's death, the archive came under the Ministry of Culture. Initially, the holdings constituted a section of the National Historical Archive. In 1999, the General Archive of the Spanish Civil War was created, which is currently integrated into the Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica.
The CDMH has two buildings in the city of Salamanca, one located on Calle Gibraltar and the other, more recent, on Plaza de Los Bandos. The CALLE GIBRALTAR HEADQUARTERS comprises two attached buildings connected by an underground passage. The first of these properties, the original seat of the Civil War Archive, is a historic building constructed in the 18th century, while the second dates from 1999. The original building was constructed by architect Joaquín de Churriguera as a home for Foundlings (Niños Expósitos), dependent on the Salamanca Cathedral Chapter. As a result of the Desamortización (disentailment of church and communal lands), the building passed into private hands, and in 1903 it was purchased by the San Ambrosio Foundation, which established its school there. Currently, the former Colegio de San Ambrosio houses the work and administration rooms, the researchers' room, and a permanent exhibition on the Civil War and Freemasonry.
The second property is located between the old archive building and the Casa de Lis. It is particularly striking as it is a modern building with a curved façade made entirely of glass and metal. It is intended as a document depository with over 7 kilometers of holdings from the Documentary Services of the Presidency of the Government and the Special Tribunal for the Repression of Freemasonry and Communism from the Franco era.
The Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica offers visitors a permanent exhibition on the Civil War and Spanish Freemasonry. The exhibition occupies several rooms on the ground floor of the former San José Hospital. Access is through the main entrance of the building, located at Calle Gibraltar, nº 2. Admission is free and the building is wheelchair accessible.
To make the most of the visit, it is suggested to start in the projection room, where two informative videos are shown. The first offers a detailed overview of the origin of the documents, as well as the different stages the archive has gone through to become the current Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica (CDMH). The second focuses on Spanish Freemasonry, explaining its history and how its holdings eventually became part of this archive.
The tour covers various rooms where documents and objects are carefully arranged in display cases. Explanatory texts accompanying the documentation facilitate its understanding and historical context. The visit concludes in a room that recreates a Masonic lodge, where an audio guide explains the symbolism and relevance of the displayed objects.
To make the most of the visit, it is suggested to start in the projection room, where two informative videos are shown. The first offers a detailed overview of the origin of the documents, as well as the different stages the archive has gone through to become the current Centro Documental de la Memoria Histórica (CDMH). The second focuses on Spanish Freemasonry, explaining its history and how its holdings eventually became part of this archive.
The tour covers various rooms where documents and objects are carefully arranged in display cases. Explanatory texts accompanying the documentation facilitate its understanding and historical context. The visit concludes in a room that recreates a Masonic lodge, where an audio guide explains the symbolism and relevance of the displayed objects.
We can divide the visit to the Civil War Archive into three distinct parts.
1.- Audiovisual Room
2.- The Civil War
3.- Freemasonry
1.- AUDIOVISUAL ROOM
In one of the museum rooms, two short videos, approximately 5 minutes each, are presented. These audiovisuals clearly and engagingly explain the content and history of the archive's creation. Additionally, it offers details about the building that houses the archive.
2.- THE CIVIL WAR
It occupies the building's lobby and two small adjoining rooms. In this space, various documents related to the conflict are displayed. The documents are exhibited in display cases. Next to each document, there is a text explaining its content for proper understanding. Propaganda posters from both sides are shown; references to the international support received by both Nationalists and Republicans, illustrations of different military actions.
3.- FREEMASONRY
During Franco's Regime, the Masonic lodges that existed in Spain were closed down, and their confiscated documents were integrated into this archive.
The holdings exhibited here are the most complete existing on Spanish Freemasonry. Jewels, sashes, aprons, documents, portraits, etc. The permanent exhibition on Freemasonry displays over a hundred pieces extracted from the Masonic documentary, bibliographic, and iconographic collection preserved in the Centre. The holdings present at the Centro de Recuperación de la Memoria Histórica in Salamanca are the most complete existing on Freemasonry in Spain: documents, books and brochures, posters and prints, photographs, jewels and medals, swords and gavels, sashes, aprons and collars, seals and impressions, posters and prints, portraits, maps... all objects related to Masons were seized during the war, from 1936 to 1939.
The preparatory room for the Masonic ritual
It is a small space, with a wooden bench and a table on which there is a skull and an hourglass. With these elements, the aim has been to recreate the place where a Masonic candidate reflected before facing the trials to enter the lodge.
THE MASONIC ROOM
The setup of this room was created during Franco's dictatorship to ridicule and discredit Freemasonry. The original furniture was seized from a lodge in Gijón. The recreation only began to be shown to visitors after the opening of the permanent exhibition in 1999.
The room is viewed through a glass panel. A 5-minute audio guide briefly explains the meaning of the main symbols displayed within it. The decor is striking due to its mysterious atmosphere. At the back of the room is the altar, with the Master and his secretaries represented by figures whose faces are covered by executioners' hoods. On the side walls, the chairs display characteristic emblems such as the compass and square. The deep blue ceiling recreates the firmament, while the floor resembles a chessboard. The walls are covered with inscriptions, alongside banners and zodiacal symbols, forming an enigmatic and unsettling environment.
1.- Audiovisual Room
2.- The Civil War
3.- Freemasonry
1.- AUDIOVISUAL ROOM
In one of the museum rooms, two short videos, approximately 5 minutes each, are presented. These audiovisuals clearly and engagingly explain the content and history of the archive's creation. Additionally, it offers details about the building that houses the archive.
2.- THE CIVIL WAR
It occupies the building's lobby and two small adjoining rooms. In this space, various documents related to the conflict are displayed. The documents are exhibited in display cases. Next to each document, there is a text explaining its content for proper understanding. Propaganda posters from both sides are shown; references to the international support received by both Nationalists and Republicans, illustrations of different military actions.
3.- FREEMASONRY
During Franco's Regime, the Masonic lodges that existed in Spain were closed down, and their confiscated documents were integrated into this archive.
The holdings exhibited here are the most complete existing on Spanish Freemasonry. Jewels, sashes, aprons, documents, portraits, etc. The permanent exhibition on Freemasonry displays over a hundred pieces extracted from the Masonic documentary, bibliographic, and iconographic collection preserved in the Centre. The holdings present at the Centro de Recuperación de la Memoria Histórica in Salamanca are the most complete existing on Freemasonry in Spain: documents, books and brochures, posters and prints, photographs, jewels and medals, swords and gavels, sashes, aprons and collars, seals and impressions, posters and prints, portraits, maps... all objects related to Masons were seized during the war, from 1936 to 1939.
The preparatory room for the Masonic ritual
It is a small space, with a wooden bench and a table on which there is a skull and an hourglass. With these elements, the aim has been to recreate the place where a Masonic candidate reflected before facing the trials to enter the lodge.
THE MASONIC ROOM
The setup of this room was created during Franco's dictatorship to ridicule and discredit Freemasonry. The original furniture was seized from a lodge in Gijón. The recreation only began to be shown to visitors after the opening of the permanent exhibition in 1999.
The room is viewed through a glass panel. A 5-minute audio guide briefly explains the meaning of the main symbols displayed within it. The decor is striking due to its mysterious atmosphere. At the back of the room is the altar, with the Master and his secretaries represented by figures whose faces are covered by executioners' hoods. On the side walls, the chairs display characteristic emblems such as the compass and square. The deep blue ceiling recreates the firmament, while the floor resembles a chessboard. The walls are covered with inscriptions, alongside banners and zodiacal symbols, forming an enigmatic and unsettling environment.