Works on removing largest Francoist monument in Catalonia to start on July 18

The largest Francoist monument still standing in Catalonia, in the middle of the river Ebre in the town of Tortosa, is expected to be completely dismantled by early August. 

This is what the government plans, with works to dismantle the monument set to begin on July 18, the 85th anniversary of the Franco coup. 

The director general of Democratic Memory, Gemma Domènech, admitted to the Catalan News Agency that the date has symbolism, but also says that it is a period in the calendar with better conditions to carry out the works. 

“The monument represents a democratic anomaly and is an insult to victims, their families and all democrats, and July 18 is a good day to remedy it,” she says. 

The announcement of the monument’s removal also came on a day with historical significance. The Catalan government disclosed the plan on the 45th anniversary of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco's death last November.

The administrative act of the start of the works will take place on June 2 and the next day a study will determine the space where the large crane which will remove the monument will be installed. 

The project is expected to cost around €200,000, and the monument will be taken apart piece by piece.