There's a sentry box at either end of the bridge, and a post on either end of the bridge where a small number of troops are stationed: on the eastern side of the bridge which leads higher up the mountain, is a water mill, and on the western side of the bridge which leads down the mountainside, a roadmender's hut. Over the bridge runs a road which is an important fascist supply line alongside it some ways runs a stream, which intersects with the brook over which the bridge extends. Taking it to a "micro level," the book's action revolves around a steel bridge spanning a gorge on a mountainside within fascist territory. However, an important thing to keep in mind about the book: Hemingway's acknowledged approach in writing the book was to begin grounded in geographic and historical reality, but then invent. One thing to know though is that the Republicans did mount a failed attack on Fascist forces near Segovia in May 1937, on May 30/31st historical analysts of the book suggest that this is the event on which Hemingway based his story. It was not too far from the border with Republican Spain, however, since the Republicans maintained control of Madrid less than 60 miles away. Segovia itself had been taken by the Fascists in 1936, and the action in the book takes place behind Fascist lines. Much of the fighting was concentrated in this northern part of Spain. By this time of the year, Franco's Nationalists (they're the enemies of the people) had showed signs of gaining the upper hand, thanks to numerous military victories and growing air support from Nazi Germany (German planes make several appearances in the novel). 1937 was the second year of the Spanish Civil War. Civil War Spain in May, 1937: The Mountains near Segoviaįor Whom the Bell Tolls takes place sometime in May 1937, in the hills and mountains of north-central Spain near the city of Segovia (not too far north of Madrid).
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