The traces of the western endure in Sad Hill: a living history of cinema in Burgos

In the Valley of Mirandilla, between the towns of Contreras and Santo Domingo de Silos, in the province of Burgos, there is a place that has gone from being a film set to becoming a must-see tourist attraction. We are referring to the Sad Hill Cemetery, an iconic setting from the cult film "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" directed by the master Sergio Leone in 1966. In this pivotal scene of the film, Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, and Lee Van Cleef star in an epic three-way duel for $200,000 buried in a grave, all set to the unforgettable rhythm of Ennio Morricone's memorable melody "The Ecstasy of Gold." The Sad Hill Cemetery, with its evocative atmosphere reminiscent of Roman coliseums, is a place that has made its mark on the history of cinema. The rugged and captivating landscapes of the Mirandilla Valley served as a natural backdrop to recreate the American Wild West in the movie. The set, designed by the production designer Carlo Simi, was built in just three days with the collaboration of Spanish army soldiers, providing an authentic look to the international production. After filming, the set was abandoned and forgotten for decades until in 2014 a group of fans decided to undertake the task of restoring the Sad Hill Cemetery. Through the Sad Hill Cultural Association, a painstaking restoration work was carried out with the collaboration of enthusiastic movie fans who contributed both physically and financially to restore its splendor. The efforts of these movie lovers paid off, and in 2016 a commemorative event was held at the newly restored cemetery to mark the 50th anniversary of the film. This process was immortalized in the documentary "Sad Hill Unearthed" by Guillermo de Oliveira, nominated for the Goya Awards in the Best Documentary category. Today, the Sad Hill Cemetery is a tourist landmark promoted by the Castilla y León Regional Government, attracting visitors from around the world interested in reliving the magic of cinema. The route of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" has become a draw for film enthusiasts, and the landscapes of Burgos have transformed into a pilgrimage site for cinephiles. The Sad Hill Cultural Association continues to receive donations to maintain and preserve this iconic place, with the hope of attracting more film productions to the area and promoting tourism. With over 10,000 visitors last summer, Sad Hill is expected to establish itself as one of the preferred film destinations in Spain, alongside other iconic locations such as San Juan de Gaztelugatxe and the Almería settings where Sergio Leone's 'spaghetti westerns' were filmed. Thus, the Sad Hill Cemetery remains a symbol of passion for cinema and a living testament to the magic of the silver screen that has transcended time, becoming a place where fiction and reality intertwine to captivate anyone who approaches to discover its history.