Photograph showing the ruined barrack stores of the Alcazar at Toledo after the 70 day siege during the Spanish Civil War, 1936. At the beginning of the Spanish Civil War, the Nationalists in the city of Toledo retreated to the fortress of the city, the Alcazar. They were quickly surrounded by Republican forces who tried everything in their power to capture the fortress. After 70 days a Nationalist relief force arrived, under General Varela, and promptly captured the rest of Toledo.