Editing Valley of the Fallen (section)

== Basilica, cross and abbey ==
[[File:ValleDeLosCaidos Crypt Central Nave.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Central Nave of the Crypt]]
[[File:Abadia-benedictina-valle-caidos.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Benedictine]] Abbey]]
One of the world's largest basilicas rises above the valley along with the tallest memorial cross in the world. The ''Basílica de la Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos'' (Basilica of the Holy Cross of the Valley of the Fallen) is hewn out of a granite ridge. The {{convert|150|m|ft|adj=mid|-high|abbr=off|sp=us}} cross is constructed of stone.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} In 1960, [[Pope John XXIII]] declared the underground crypt a basilica. The dimensions of this underground basilica, as excavated, are larger than those of [[St. Peter's Basilica]] in Rome. To avoid competition with the apostle's grave church on the [[Vatican Hill]], a partitioning wall was built near the inside of the entrance and a sizeable entryway was left unconsecrated.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} The memorial sculptures to the fallen at the basilica are works by Spanish sculptor [[Luis Sanguino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.alertadigital.com/2012/07/14/luis-antonio-sanguino-de-pascual/|title=Luis Antonio Sanguino de Pascual – Alerta Digital|website=www.alertadigital.com|accessdate=5 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="castillo">{{cite web|url=http://castillodesanguino.com/index.php/luis-sanguino|title=Castillo de Sanguino - Luis Sanguino|date=24 August 2014|accessdate=5 July 2019|archive-date=24 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824091612/http://castillodesanguino.com/index.php/luis-sanguino|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The monumental sculptures over the main gate and the base of the cross culminated the career of [[Juan de Ávalos]]. The monument consists of a wide ''explanada'' (esplanade) with views of the valley and the outskirts of Madrid in the distance. A long vaulted [[crypt]] was tunnelled out of solid granite, piercing the mountain to the massive transept, which lies exactly below the cross.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}

[[File:Coat of arms of the Abbey of the Valley of the Fallen.svg|thumb|right|Coat of arms of the Abbey]]
On the wrought-iron gates, Franco's [[Spanish Habsburgs|neo-Habsburg]] [[double-headed eagle]] is prominently displayed. On entering the basilica, visitors are flanked by two large metal statues of [[art deco]] angels holding swords.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} There is a [[funicular]] that connects the basilica with the base of the cross. There is a spiral staircase and a lift inside the cross, connecting the top of the basilica dome to a trapdoor on top of the cross,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vki2.net/c_monumental.htm|title=The Monumental Cross|publisher=Team VKi2|language=es|access-date=29 July 2014}}</ref> but their use is restricted to maintenance staff. The Benedictine Abbey of the Holy Cross of the Valley of the Fallen ({{langx|es|Abadía Benedictina de la Santa Cruz del Valle de los Caídos|links=no}}), on the other side of the mountain, houses priests who say perpetual Masses for the repose of the fallen of the [[Spanish Civil War]] and later wars and peacekeeping missions fought by the [[Spanish Army]]. The abbey ranks as a Royal Monastery.{{citation needed|date=September 2020}}