Flag of the Second Republic of Spain flying outside the Casa de la Memoria de la Sauceda © Max Phythian |
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Casa de la Memoria de la Sauceda
This building in Jimena de la Frontera is part archive, part library and part museum used for researching, sharing and debating of information and matters on the Civil War in Spain, with a focus on what occurred in Andalusia, particularly in the Campo de Gibraltar. It is located on Calle Sevilla 5, just before the town hall. The building is identifiable by the flag of the Second Spanish Republic flying outside.
Casa de la Memoria de la Sauceda contains documents and testimonies about the Spanish Civil War and the repression suffered by the Republican opposition to Franco’s regime in the Campo de Gibraltar. This space was founded by the Foro por la Memoria del Campo de Gibraltar, the Asociación de Familiares de Represaliados por el Franquismo en La Sauceda and El Marrufo. The building and its contents are divided over three floors, containing a permanent exhibition, a library with over 1,900 books, a conference room, an archive, offices, meeting rooms, two patios and a terrace.
The exhibition room is dedicated to the history of La Sauceda (the abandoned village) and Cortijo El Marrufo (an old cortijo with extensive farmland used by the Republic and later captured by nationalist forces); the effects of the Civil War and repression under Franco’s regime in the Campo de Gibraltar; the anti-Franco guerrilla forces; and the 30,000 republican prisoners brought from all over Spain to the Campo de Gibraltar and forced to work for the nationalists.
Miguel Rodriguez of Festina Group
During the dictatorship, the actual building of La Casa de la Memoria de La Sauceda belonged to an ironmonger. In 2012 it was bought by Miguel Rodríguez, wealthy owner of the Festina Group watch company, who has a personal connection with the history of the Civil War in that area. Born in La Linea, Rodriguez’s grandfather, a pig farmer, and his step-grandmother, were both executed over a personal vendetta, in the concentration camp at El Marrufo. Rodriguez’s father was captured and sent to another camp in Motril; later, he moved to Barcelona with his son Miguel.
With financial backing by the left-leaning millionaire watch magnate, the Foro por la Memoria del Campo de Gibraltar, the Asociación de Familiares de Represaliados por el Franquismo en La Sauceda y El Marrufo and those who now own El Marrufo, were able to renovate the building. Rodriguez has also funded exhumations in El Marrufo; he was awarded the Medalla de Andalucia in 2018.
Opening hours:
Summer (June –October):
Tuesday – Friday: 18:00 to 21:00
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 14:00
Winter (November – May):
Tuesday – Friday: 17:00 to 20:00
Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 to 14:00
Contact:
Free guided tours of the ‘Casa de la Memoria’ in English can be booked in advance. Phone Debbie on (0034) 662 192 585 for details.
Email: [email protected]
Telephone number: +34 956 640 998