Spanish Civil War (cont.)

Reiziger'El Madriles' (The Madrid) is one of the most emblematic sculptures about the Spanish Civil War preserved by the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya. The statue shows a militia of the People's Army of the Republic carrying the rifle. The imposing, life-size figure was conceived as a tribute to a young soldier known by the nickname 'El Madriles' who had a heroic participation in the Battle of Jarama, one of the toughest episodes of the war. In this offensive in February 1937, the Francoists tried to isolate and surround Madrid in the southeast by cutting off the Valencia road. Although the rebel army managed to advance positions and cross the Jarama River, the road remained far from its reach, so the battle was seen as a victory for the Republican side, which made it a symbol of Madrid's resistance to Franco's troops.