A new debate has erupted in central Madrid over the fate of one of the city’s most recognizable buildings — Casa de Correos. The authorities have proposed designating it as a site of memory associated with the Franco dictatorship, but the Royal Academy of History has issued an unexpected statement. According to historians, the building is much more closely linked to the Enlightenment era than to the period of Francoism.
Experts pointed out that Casa de Correos was built in the 18th century by order of Carlos III and for many years served as a symbol of the capital’s modernization. Over the years, it has housed various government institutions, and since the mid-19th century, the building has been an administrative center. Today, it is known as the seat of the government of the Madrid autonomous community, as well as the place where thousands gather each year to ring in the New Year as the clock chimes.
The report prepared at the ministry’s request emphasizes that although the Dirección de Seguridad was based here during the dictatorship, this period is only one of many in the building’s rich history. The Academy also recalled the events of the Second Republic, when no less dramatic episodes took place within these same walls, including the assassination of politician José Calvo Sotelo in 1936. In addition, in 1974, a terrorist attack near Casa de Correos claimed the lives of thirteen people.
The issue of installing a commemorative plaque referencing its Francoist past remains unresolved. The Madrid regional authorities have already filed objections, citing potential overreach by the central government regarding the protection of historical heritage. The case is currently under review by the Constitutional Court, and a final decision has not yet been made. Regional officials hope that the academy’s opinion will help preserve historical accuracy and keep the building’s complex history from being reduced solely to the dictatorship era.
