Patrimonio conflictivo, desarrollo turístico improbable

This study analyses the symbolic conflicts surrounding the heritage process of Franco colonisation settlements, particularly when used as a tool for tourism development. It examines how elements linked to the Franco regime, such as urban planning, architecture and sacred art, carry a strong emotional and ideological charge, making them into Spain’s most conflictive heritage elements. Based on ethnographic research conducted between 2008‐2010 and 2023 in three settlements in Hellín (Albacete), complemented by visits to twenty similar areas in Cáceres and Badajoz, the study reveals that colonisation was grounded in a dynamic of domination that prevented inhabitants’ symbolic appropriation of the Commons. Consequently, heritage processes in these contexts are marked by tensions between memory, identity and politics. The research concludes that, beyond tourism‐oriented approaches, it is essential to integrate participatory mechanisms that re‐signify the symbolic meaning of this heritage, promoting community engagement and mitigating its conflictive nature