Between August 24 and September 7, 1937, loyalist Spanish Republican and rebel General Franco's forces in the Spanish Civil War fought the Battle of Belchite in and around the town. After 1939 a new village of Belchite was built adjacent to the ruins of the old, which remain a ghost town as a memorial to the war.
To reach Belchite is no easy feat given we were staying in Calella..several coach and bus changes and we find our town using good old Google Maps.Gaining entry to the ruins was vague as there were various reports that the town was free to go round,other reports saying it only guided tours..we tried the front gate and it was open with no one else around.I have found several old photos to show the then and the now.
The main entrance
How the main street looked during the battle
How it looks now
One of several arched entrances 1937
And now..rather Imber-esque
Main Street
St Agustin Church
Rather damaged
Dome no more sadly..I bet it was rather grand back in the day
Some parts really are just a facade
Further down the town
The main Square with the Chemist on the corner plus fountain just to the left 1937
And how it looks today
I will leave it here as there is lots more to see,but I dont want to bore you
For the whole walk-through in case you cannot sleep,see link below pls
https://klempner69.smugmug.com/Belchite-Ghost-Town-Spain-2017/
To reach Belchite is no easy feat given we were staying in Calella..several coach and bus changes and we find our town using good old Google Maps.Gaining entry to the ruins was vague as there were various reports that the town was free to go round,other reports saying it only guided tours..we tried the front gate and it was open with no one else around.I have found several old photos to show the then and the now.
The main entrance
How the main street looked during the battle
How it looks now
One of several arched entrances 1937
And now..rather Imber-esque
Main Street
St Agustin Church
Rather damaged
Dome no more sadly..I bet it was rather grand back in the day
Some parts really are just a facade
Further down the town
The main Square with the Chemist on the corner plus fountain just to the left 1937
And how it looks today
I will leave it here as there is lots more to see,but I dont want to bore you
For the whole walk-through in case you cannot sleep,see link below pls
https://klempner69.smugmug.com/Belchite-Ghost-Town-Spain-2017/