Spain
"Marcha Real" (Royal March)

Music by: unknown
In use since: 1770, replaced 1931, restored 1939.

The "Marcha Real" first appeared in a book of military bugle calls dating from 1761, known as the "Marcha Granadera". In 1770 King Carlos III declared it as the official "honour march", and was played at events attended by the royal family. It was then soon known as the Royal March ("Marcha Real").

The origin of the melody is in dispute. Several traditions claim that it originated in parts of Europe outside Spain (such as France and Germany), and indeed the music is not typical of Spanish music.

There was a contest held in 1870 to have a new national anthem of Spain, but no winner was declared and the "Marcha Real" remained as Spain's anthem. There have also been many attempts to compose lyrics for the anthem, but, perhaps in a show of conciliation, none have been officially declared.

After the anthem was replaced by the Republican forces in the Spanish Civil War with "Himno Riego", the victorious monarchist forces restored the "Marcha Real" by a decree from General Franco in July 1942. In 1997 the royal family issued a decree regulating the official use of the Marcha Real.

See also: Spain (1931-1939), Basque Country, Canary Islands (to 2003), Canary Islands, Catalonia, Galicia.