Belchite was fought over during the Spanish Civil War. From 24 August and 7 September 1937 the Republican forces attacked Belchite, as part of a plan to capture Saragossa from the Nationalists. The Nationalists held out until 7 September, but the attack on Saragossa failed. Belchite was destroyed during the fighting. The destroyed town is kept as a monument, a new town of Belchite was constructed next to the ruins.