San Simón and Santo Antón Islands Designated as Sites of Democratic Memory

• The Spanish Council of Ministers has officially designated the islands of San Simón and Santo Antón in Vigo's estuary as a "Place of Democratic Memory."
• This recognition is granted under the 2022 Democratic Memory Law to honor historical victims and preserve the site's significance.
• Future plans include installing interpretive signage and integrating the location into international democratic memory circuits.

Historical Context as a Concentration Camp

• From October 1936 to March 1943, the islands served as a concentration camp and penitentiary colony under the control of rebel forces during and after the Spanish Civil War.
• Over 5,600 prisoners, primarily from Galicia and Asturias, passed through the facility.
• Chronic overcrowding, malnutrition, and brutal conditions resulted in over 500 documented deaths, in addition to numerous extrajudicial executions and shootings.

Community Resistance and Solidarity

• Local women from the nearby town of Cesantes, known as "madriñas," organized a grassroots support network.
• These women provided essential aid to the prisoners, including food and clothing, and served as vital communication links between the incarcerated individuals and their families.

Future Development and Preservation

• The site will maintain its current usage, provided it remains compatible with the principles of truth, justice, and reparation.
• Planned initiatives include:
  • Installation of plaques and explanatory panels.
  • Creation of digital and audiovisual materials.
  • Inclusion of the islands in the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory's online database with geolocated archives and historical records.