Gernika is the first capital of the Basque Country, known primarily thanks to the famous painting by Pablo Picasso. It immortalized the destruction of the city during the Spanish Civil War in 1937.
The city was founded in the 14th century at the crossroads of important trade routes in northern Spain. From its inception, it was the site of Basque general assemblies. Here too, under the Tree of Gerniki, the kings of Spain swore to keep Basque freedom. Today, the third tree planted from the seeds of the previous one grows on the site of the original oak.
In 1936, when the civil war began, Guernica, like most of the Basque Country, supported the People's Front, and the city was home to an autonomous government. For this reason, on April 26, 1937, the city was bombed by General Franco's forces and practically razed to the ground. Pablo Picasso commemorates the destruction of Guernica in his painting. The Peace Museum in Gernice was established in memory of these tragic events.
After the destruction of the house wine, a large part of the city and its buildings were rebuilt. Among the most important monuments are the Church of Santa Maria and the Assembly House in Gernice, located in a neoclassical building. You can learn about the history of the region in the Basque Country Museum, which is located in a baroque palace.
The main street of the city is Industria Kalea full of restaurants and shops, the extension of which is Picasso Kalea. They lead to Foru Plaza with the Town Hall in Gernice. A popular meeting place is Mercurio Square.
