InfoVaticana on the Felanitx Christ the King: 1934 and the law’s 1936–1978 scope are right
InfoVaticana reports that Spain’s democratic memory ministry is studying a request to catalogue the Christ the King statue on Sant Salvador, Mallorca, as a Francoist symbol, noting it was inaugurated in 1934 and that the 2022 law concerns 1936–1978. Both points check out.
By TradWatch™ staff
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Verdicts at a glance
- Accurate
The Christ the King statue on Sant Salvador, Felanitx, was inaugurated on 1 July 1934, two years before the Civil War. · InfoVaticana
- Accurate
In this brief · 7 sections
On 19 October 2026 InfoVaticana reported that Spain’s Ministry of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory has admitted for study a request to list the Christ the King statue on the Puig de Sant Salvador in Felanitx, Mallorca, as a symbol contrary to democratic memory. The statue stands on land of the Diocese of Mallorca, and the town council has said it will defend it.
What was said
Statement 1: InfoVaticana
InfoVaticana · October 19, 2026
inaugurada el 1 de julio de 1934, dos años antes de la Guerra Civil
In brief: The Christ the King statue on Sant Salvador, Felanitx, was inaugurated on 1 July 1934, two years before the Civil War.
Our verdict: AccurateThe record supports the claim as stated.
See the recordThis content is embedded for purposes of commentary, criticism, and news reporting. TradWatch is not affiliated with InfoVaticana. Views quoted are those of the speaker.
Statement 2: InfoVaticana
InfoVaticana · October 19, 2026
la Ley de Memoria Democrática de 2022 se refiere al periodo que va del golpe del 18 de julio de 1936 a la Constitución de 1978, y la estatua es de 1934
In brief: Spain’s 2022 Democratic Memory Law concerns the period from the coup of 18 July 1936 to the 1978 Constitution, while the statue dates from 1934.
Our verdict: AccurateThe record supports the claim as stated.
See the recordThis content is embedded for purposes of commentary, criticism, and news reporting. TradWatch is not affiliated with InfoVaticana. Views quoted are those of the speaker.
Context
Whether the statue’s raised arm is a blessing or a salute, and the political views of those involved in its design, are disputed and are not rated here.
The record
What the sources show, statement by statement.
Verifiable factcan be checked against the sources cited.TradWatch analysisis our interpretation, clearly labelled.Statement 1 · InfoVaticana
The Christ the King statue on Sant Salvador, Felanitx, was inaugurated on 1 July 1934, two years before the Civil War.
Verifiable fact Reported the same way
Mallorca Magazin, reporting the same petition by 33 residents and the association Memòria de Mallorca, gives the inauguration as 1 July 1934 and says the canon who promoted the monument died in 1933 (Mallorca Magazin). The Spanish Civil War began in July 1936.
Source
- 2
Journalism
Mallorca-Streit um beliebtes Fotomotiv: Soll die umstrittene Christusstatue auf Sant Salvador verschwinden?
Mallorca Magazin · October 10, 2026
- 2
Statement 2 · InfoVaticana
Spain’s 2022 Democratic Memory Law concerns the period from the coup of 18 July 1936 to the 1978 Constitution, while the statue dates from 1934.
Verifiable fact What the law covers
Law 20/2022 defines its victims by “el periodo que abarca el golpe de Estado de 18 de julio de 1936, la posterior Guerra y la Dictadura, incluyendo el transcurrido hasta la entrada en vigor de la Constitución española de 1978” (art. 3), and treats as contrary to democratic memory elements that exalt “la sublevación militar y de la Dictadura” (art. 35) (BOE).
Source
- 3
Primary source
arts. 3 and 35
Ley 20/2022, de 19 de octubre, de Memoria Democrática
Boletín Oficial del Estado · October 19, 2022
- 3
TradWatch analysis The date matters, but the test is the content
Article 35 turns on whether an element exalts the uprising or the dictatorship, not only on its date. The petition argues the gesture is a fascist salute; historians quoted in the Spanish press read it as a blessing. The ministry has only admitted the request for study.
Source
- 3
Primary source
arts. 3 and 35
Ley 20/2022, de 19 de octubre, de Memoria Democrática
Boletín Oficial del Estado · October 19, 2022
- 3
Bottom line
The statue was inaugurated on 1 July 1934, and the 2022 law concerns the period from July 1936 to 1978. The request has only been admitted for study; no removal has been ordered.
The original
Sources
- 3.Primary sourceCited in statement 2
arts. 3 and 35 — Ley 20/2022, de 19 de octubre, de Memoria Democrática
Boletín Oficial del Estado · October 19, 2022
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