Guernica Attractions & Activities - The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020
Basque town which was the site of the first airborne bombing attack on a civilian town during the Spanish civil war. The bombing, by the Condor Legion of Germany's Luftwaffe in 1937, inspired Picasso to paint the landmark cubist work Guernica, now on display at the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia in Madrid.
Guernica (Basque: Gernika) is also the traditional seat of the Basque people's liberties, where the juntas generales (the parliament), established in the 15th century, would assemble under the shadow of an oak tree in the town. The tree, commonly called "The Tree of Guernica" (Basque: Gernikako arbola), symbolises the Basque people's historic and traditional rights (Spanish: fueros), and is represented on both Guernica's and Vizcaya's coat of arms.
Although the airborne bombing destroyed much of Guernica's old town, several parts were spared and many were rebuilt. Today, Guernica is a thriving commercial town with several museums. Because of its history, it has also become an important symbol of Basque culture and identity.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Guernica
