The Xunta de Galicia has proposed a sanction of 3,000 euros against the Franco family for not having opened to the public the Casa Cornide, a historic property declared as an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC), which for the heirs of the dictator means the obligation to allow visits at least four days per month. However, the building remains completely inaccessible a year and a half later.
Faced with non-compliance, the Xunta – responsible for ensuring compliance with the legal requirements applicable to the BICs – demanded, after a year, that the Francos send an opening schedule. The family, in response, opted for the strategy of maintaining their residence in the property, which the Galician government excludes due to the absence of furniture. From now on, reports the EFE agency, it is proposed to impose a fine of 3,000 euros in the event of non-compliance.
The Xunta considers the offense to be minor, hence the amount. The proposed sanction is not yet final and the dictator’s heirs have 15 days to present the allegations in the notification already made. The Franco family’s reaction is reminiscent of the one they had when the Pazo de Meirás was declared a BIC in 2008. Then, the dictator’s descendants argued against the obligation to open the property to the public. The first visits took place in 2011 and the task of organizing them was entrusted to the Francisco Franco Foundation, which announced its intention to praise “the greatness” of the dictator. A historic ruling in 2020 transferred ownership to the state.
Before passing into the hands of the public, the obstacles to visiting the Pazo de Meirás also led to sanction proceedings by the Xunta against the Franco family. The fine, of 4,500 euros, was never collected: the owner of the land, in whose name the sanction was imposed, was Carmen Franco Polo, the dictator’s daughter. He died before the fine became final.
