With the establishment of the Republic, cruiser Príncipe Alfonso was renamed Libertad. When the Civil War broke out, the ship remained on the Republican side even though she was, at that time, under the command of Francisco Franco's cousin. At Cape Tenes, Libertad scored several hits on Nationalist heavy cruiser Baleares, and at Cape Palos, she engaged in battle against the enemy's heavy cruisers. The ship was later damaged during several Italian air raids. When Libertad fell into the hands of the Francoist government, she received the name Galicia.