Franco’s Family Forced to Open 18th Century Mansion to Public after Years of Resistance

The 18th century mansion of Spain’s fascist Franco finally opened its doors to the public after six decades despite the efforts made by the dictator’s family to prevent it.

Casa Corinde in A Coruña, Galicia, was originally owned by the City Council before being privatised and placed in the hands of the dictator’s family on the first Monday in August 63 years ago.

The family was forced by law, in 2021 after being designated a Site of Cultural Interest to open its doors for the public.

On Tuesday, about thirty people gathered at Casa Corinde in order to demand the City Council files the lawsuit announced yesterday by the municipal government.

Manuel Monge, president of the association that organised the event, considers the opening to the public a ‘victory’ but noted the Francos are doing so ‘four years late’.

According to El País, the Francos attempted to evade the rule – requiring them to allow visits at least four days a month – by claiming to the Junta the mansion was their ‘primary residence’.

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The regional government dismissed the excuse, calling it implausible and citing the bad state of repair to the building.

When the dictator’s ancestors were faced with a fine of €3,000, they finally gave in.

The delegation confirmed the Franco family’s excuse didn’t hold up, saying that furniture was missing, and woodworm, damp and mould were rampant in its walls.

The Francos only offer Monday mornings between 9am-1pm with a maximum of 5 people per hour.

Over the past two days, several visitors have stated that pieces remain in the mansion. These include a sculpture of Saint James dressed as pilgrim, two medieval capitols and a Bas-relief.

A spokesperson for the Commission for the Recovery of Historical Memory in A Coruña has argued a ‘certain complicity’ between the regional government and the Franco family.

The spokesperson suggested delays in the proceedings have allowed them to empty the building of furniture and other items ‘that have not been catalogued and may have been looted’.

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