How a Spanish newspaper survived civil war and a century of political upheaval

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1903, ABC stands as one of Spain's primary newspapers of record. From its origins as a weekly publication to its current status as a conservative, monarchist-leaning daily, the paper has navigated the turbulent shifts of Spanish history, including being seized by government forces during the Civil War.

Established in Madrid by Torcuato Luca de Tena y Álvarez-Ossorio, ABC began its life as a weekly before transitioning to a daily format in June 1905. The publication quickly distinguished itself through a unique visual identity, characterized by its compact, stapled format and a signature front page dominated by a large, full-size photograph. This commitment to photography became a hallmark of the paper, which also gained recognition for its dedicated coverage of Spanish arts and culture.

The paper's history is deeply intertwined with Spain's political volatility. During the Spanish Civil War, the Madrid edition was seized by the republican government in July 1936, forcing a shift in its editorial stance. Simultaneously, the Seville edition, known as ABC de Sevilla, maintained a pro-Nationalist perspective. Following the war, Francisco Franco returned the Madrid paper to its original owners in 1939. Throughout the late 20th century, ABC maintained close ties with conservative political movements, including the Popular Alliance and the Popular Party, solidifying its reputation as a right-wing voice that staunchly defends the Spanish monarchy.

Today, ABC is part of Grupo Vocento, a media conglomerate that also owns regional titles like El Correo Español and La Verdad. While the paper has moved from its historic offices on the Paseo de la Castellana—a site now occupied by a shopping mall—it has embraced the digital age. In 2009, the publication opened its complete archives to the public, allowing readers to explore over a century of history, from the early 1900s through the death of Franco. This digital repository serves as a vital record of the events that shaped modern Spain, preserving the legacy of a newspaper that has remained a constant, if evolving, fixture in the national discourse.

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