Finca El Poblet
The last refuge of the Republican Government before the end of the Spanish Civil War.
For the 10 days prior to 6th March 1939 this country house, hidden in a pine grove near Elda in the Alicante province of Spain was the final seat of the Government of the the 2nd Republic, which had been elected in 1936. However the new government was almost imediately challenged by a military coupe led by General Francisco Franco who had help from Hitler to fly in Colonial troops and members of the Spanish Legión from Africa. With the help of Italy and Germany and under an arms embargo from Britain, France and other countries (via the so-called “Non-Intervention Committee” ) the days of the 2nd Republic were limited. They did, however, hold out through two and a half years of brutal fighting. In the way of civil wars, families became split, as members chose sides either because of their principles or of a desire to be on the side they thought would win.
During the war, poor treatment of captured combatants was the rule rather than the exception (to be fair atrocities were committed by both sides) and, at the end, the only hope for many republicans was to hold out long enough to force Franco to agree to reasonable surrender terms that precluded reprisals. In the end this never came and post-war reprisals and repression are well documented.
Whilst the government was ensconced in this finca an internal military coup by troops led by Colonel Segismundo Casado and backed by many exhausted members of both the army and the navy. This followed two previous hammer blows, the shameful recognition of the Nationalists as the legitimate government of Spain by both Britain and France and the resignation of President Azaña, who was in exile in France. This left Prime Minister Negrin and the the members of his cabinet at risk of capture by Casado’s mutineering troops for eventual hand over to the Franco side (possibly as a bargaining chip), to face inevitable execution and likely, prior to that, torture.
They escaped to France by flying from the nearby El Fondó aerodrome at 3pm on 6th March 1939, effectively bringing the 2nd Republic to an end.
Until Franco died in 1975 few people in Spain would openly talk about Finca El Poblet for fear of arrest and reprisals but, since the re-establishment of a democracy in Spain, it has become something of a place of pilgrimage for left leaning people, both Spanish and overseas.
Finca El Poblet was named as an official cultural asset in 2019 but when the owner died at the age of 103 the family appealed the designation ( and the status is now unclear). There has been talk of turning the finca into a museum but these talks have been ongoing for some time. In May 2024 no access was permitted beyond the boundary and it was clear that building works were underway (but seemingly with little urgency). Although not perfect, one can get a reasonable view of two sides of the property. Amazingly there is not even a single information board or even a sign to identify the name of the place.
Know Before You Go
The drive along a rough track to this place is not easy and when you get there you cannot enter. But the atmosphere around the place is quite strange and if you're politics are left of centre you may feel that a visit is something a pilgrimage. If the museum idea gets underway I will certainly make a point to return.
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