General Archive of the Spanish Civil War

The General Archive of the Spanish Civil War stands in Salamanca, a city in Castile and León. It forms part of Spain’s National Historical Archive and holds papers from the 1930s to the 1970s. The archive began when Nationalist forces ordered all documents of opposing groups to be seized in 1936. These included records of Freemasons, who were widely suspected by Franco’s regime. After Spain’s return to democracy, the archive’s purpose shifted to support the country’s reckoning with its past. Its importance lies in the breadth of material now gathered under the Historical Memory Law. The archive preserves state papers alongside private letters and organisational records. A digital portal run by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport lets visitors search for victims of the war and Francoism. Some files come from foreign sources, including lists of Spanish prisoners in Nazi camps. Visitors find a permanent exhibition open to the public. The building also houses reading rooms where researchers consult original documents. A separate online platform provides free access to digitised records. Outside, Salamanca’s golden sandstone streets and university courtyards offer quiet places to reflect after time spent inside.