The Spanish Government has declared the building at Peironcely 10, in Madrid's Puente de Vallecas district, a Site of Democratic Memory. This location is famous for being the setting of one of the most iconic photographs of the Spanish Civil War, taken by photographer Robert Capa in 1936 during the bombings of Madrid.
The resolution, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), extends protection to the property, the Plaza del Fotógrafo Robert Capa, the adjacent garden plot, and the San Carlos Borromeo Pastoral Center. The text traces the origin of this declaration to the siege of Madrid following the coup d'état of July 1936, recalling that the capital was a primary target for the rebel forces.
According to the resolution, the air raids by Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy on the civilian population had a significant episode in Vallecas on November 19, 1936. That bombing was immortalized by Capa in a photograph of children playing in front of a shrapnel-damaged facade, which gained worldwide recognition.
Beyond the symbolic value of the bombings, the Government highlights the importance of these spaces for the historical memory of families who arrived in Madrid during the post-war period, fleeing Francoist repression and poverty, particularly from Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha.
“"Peironcely 10 is undoubtedly a very important place for the memory of both Spain and the capital. The recognition represents a significant step in democratic memory."
The Government Delegate in Madrid, Francisco Martín, welcomed the declaration, calling Peironcely 10 "a very important place for memory" and a "significant step in democratic memory." Martín urged those who oppose such initiatives to reconsider their stance, advocating for "truth, justice, reparation," and "concord".
“"An act of recognition, reparation, and democratic dignity."
Socialist councilor Jorge Donaire described the declaration as a "long-sought historical vindication" and "an act of recognition, reparation, and democratic dignity." He highlighted the work of the #SalvaPeironcely10 platform and urged the City Council to develop the future Robert Capa Center to interpret the history of the bombings.
From Más Madrid, councilor Pilar Sánchez celebrated the recognition, stating it "honors the victims" and "guarantees" that new generations will learn about this historical episode "so that it is never repeated." She emphasized that it is the result of the struggle by neighborhood and memorialist groups against "a right-wing that would have wanted to tear it down."
Pilar Sánchez also called on the Madrid City Council to revive the project by the #SalvaPeironcely10 platform to create an interpretation center dedicated to the air raids of the Civil War.
The mayor of Madrid, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, believes the recognition is compatible with municipal plans to transform the building into the future Robert Capa Cultural Experimentation Center, a space for young people scheduled for 2028. "I believe it is compatible to respect Robert Capa while young people can have a future opportunity," he stated, criticizing "either/or" approaches.
