This is the sign that greeted us as we drove up to Belchite (near Zaragoza). The entire town was destroyed during the Battle of Belchite, August 24 - September 7, 1937, in what was a tactical victory for the Republican Military over the Nationalists and Franco during the Spanish Civil War. Franco ordered that the ruins of Belchite be left untouched (for posterity) as a "live" monument of war. The historical side trip to this national monument provided us with an interesting view into Spain's history (and welcome relief from all the frenetic birding). Temperatures were in the mid- to high 70's on this this sunny afternoon.