Presentation of results: Excavation works at the O Val (Narón)

In 2023 and 2024, work was carried out at the parish cemetery of Santa María de O Val in Narón to locate and assess the state of preservation of one of the largest mass graves in Galicia, containing the remains of around 51 people murdered following the coup d’état of 1936. The work was carried out thanks to the implementation of the Plan for Democratic Memory, sponsored by the Secretary of State for Democratic Memory and the Regional Government of Galicia through a research agreement with the USC. The exhumation work, coordinated by the USC’s HISTAGRA group, confirmed the existence of the mass grave where members of the armed forces lie: sailors, officers and non-commissioned officers of the Navy executed following court-martial.

Now, it is time to present the results of the investigation to the relatives and the public. For this reason, on Tuesday 16 June at 4 pm, the team from the Galician Democratic Memory Plan will be at the premises of the Los Irmandiños Neighbourhood Association in O Val – to whom we are enormously grateful for their collaboration – presenting the reports and answering any questions raised by those interested.

The event, which is open to the public, will be attended by the team coordinator, Professor of Contemporary History Lourenzo Fernández Prieto, and the specialists who took part in the process: Dr Conchi López, PhD in Contemporary History; the coordinator of the archaeological work, Dr José Carlos Sánchez Pardo; the archaeologist in charge of the exhumation, Oria Ferreiro (Tiempos Arqueólogos); and Dr Ana Mosquera, who led the genetic studies. Alongside them, although unable to attend the event, Dr Antonio Miguez, a specialist in Contemporary History, and forensic anthropologist Fernando Serrulla from IMELGA also participated in the work.

The excavation covered various test pits in the area in front of the niches located at the rear of the old part of the cemetery and in one of the side corners. We found evidence supporting the hypothesis that the grave was located there, although most of the grave has disappeared as niches have been built over it. Phase II of the excavations (carried out in late 2024) confirmed the high historical significance of this site.

Cooperation with civil society organisations – in this case, the support of the Ferrol Association for Democratic Memory – public authorities – the State Secretariat for Democratic Memory, Narón Town Council and the Public Prosecutor’s Office for Democratic Memory in A Coruña – and the families was essential to carrying out the proposed work.

Information:

https://www.nomesevoces.net/gl/lugares/fosas/48/fosa-de-santa-maria-do-val

Details:

Date: 16 June 2026

Time: 4 pm

Venue: Premises of the Irmandiños Neighbourhood Association in O Val (Narón)

Organised by: Galician Democratic Memory Plan.

Coordinated by: HISTAGRA Group