In1808,therewerewidespreaduprisingsagainsttheFrenchoccupationofSpain,andNapoleonsenttroopstopacifythemajorcentresofresistance.InJune1808,asFrenchsoldiersweremarchingthroughValdepenas,thevillageroseupinarms.
Astherewereinsufficientmeninthevillage,a20-year-oldgirl,JuanaGalan,tooktothestreettofightinhand-to-handcombatwiththeFrenchcavalry,armedwithaclub.TheotherwomenpouredhotwaterandboilingoilorvinegarontheFrench.Thefightinglastedfrommorningtillevening,andeventuallytheFrenchwithdrew.ThisdelayfacilitatedtheSpanishvictoryintheBattleofBaileninJuly.
JuanaGalan,whobecamealocalheroineovernight,gotmarriedin1810,anddiedinchildbirthin1812.ThereisastatueofherinValdepenas,herhandholdingaclub.
一八○八年，西班牙人紛紛奮起，反抗佔領國土的法軍。拿破崙派軍隊鎮壓抗法的主要據點。一八○八年六月，法軍路過瓦爾德佩納斯，村民都揭竿而起。
由於村內男人不多，二十歲女郎胡安．加蘭拿起大棒，就上街和法國騎兵肉搏。村內其他女人則用熱水、沸油、沸醋等潑向法軍。雙方從早到晚打了一天，最後，法軍撤退。這耽擱有助西班牙軍隊在七月的拜倫戰役中取勝。
胡安．加蘭馬上成為當地的女英雄。她一八一○年結婚，一八一二年分娩時去世。今天，瓦爾德佩納斯有她的雕像，雕像一隻手拿着大棒。