Luisa Martín Rojo. Plenary session at the 14th International Linguistic Landscape Symposium
This virtual tour explores the urban, semiotic, and linguistic landscapes of the Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid, focusing on its historical significance during the Spanish Civil War and its subsequent urbanization under Franco’s dictatorship. The tour highlights how the campus became a key battleground during the Spanish Civil War in the defense of Madrid by the Republican army. Secondly, it explores how its reconstruction and subsequent urbanization reflected the values and ideologies of the regime. Through a detailed examination of monuments, buildings, and inscriptions, the tour uncovers the power techniques employed by the dictatorship, including the glorification of the victors, the erasure of dissenting voices, and the imposition of militaristic and religious values. By analyzing the architectural and symbolic elements of the landscape, the tour sheds light on the complex interaction between politics, ideology, and urban space, offering insights into the enduring impact of the dictatorship on urban environments and collective memory. Through open debate, the tour invites reflection on strategies to preserve historical memory and promote reconciliation in societies marked by political and social conflict.
