A small Basque town marked by the 1937 bombing that inspired Picasso's famous painting. Now a calm community of 7,000 people with a rebuilt market square.
In Spain's Basque Country, you can walk through Guernica's Monday market where farmers sell their produce and locals play pelota, sit under the ancient oak tree where Basque leaders have made decisions since the 14th century, and learn about the 1937 bombing at the Peace Museum. Watch Jai Alai players throw pelota balls at high speeds in the town's massive court, explore the Gothic Santa Maria Church's stone facade, and discover Basque daily life at the Euskal Herria Museum.
The Biscayan Assembly House and Guernica Tree
The neoclassical Biscayan Assembly House, built in 1833, serves as the political center of the Basque region. Inside the Assembly Hall, paintings of former Lords of Biscay line the walls, while the Stained Glass Room has a large ceiling window depicting scenes from Basque assembly history. Outside, the current Guernica Tree, planted in 2015, stands where Basque leaders have met since the 14th century. In the surrounding gardens, you'll find the preserved trunk of the previous oak from 1742, which witnessed countless political gatherings.
Monday Market Traditions
Every Monday, vendors and visitors from across Biscay province fill the town center. Local farmers sell cheese, vegetables, and seasonal fruits directly to customers. The market doubles as a social hub where people eat pintxos (Basque tapas) and watch impromptu pelota games at the nearby court. Following an old custom, many town businesses close on Mondays, treating market day as a weekly holiday.
Peace Museum and Memorial Site
In Fueros Square, the Peace Museum tells the story of the April 26, 1937 bombing through first-hand accounts, photographs, and interactive exhibits. You can watch interviews with survivors, read historical documents, and learn how Guernica connects with other cities affected by war, such as Dresden and Hiroshima. The museum runs peace education programs and keeps records of civilian wartime experiences.
Guernica Jai Alai Court
The Guernica Jai Alai court, with its high ceiling and stone walls, hosts regular matches where players use curved wicker baskets to throw and catch pelota balls at speeds exceeding 150 mph. The court's size and acoustics have made it popular among professional players, and you can often watch matches here throughout the week.
Cultural and Religious Sites
The Alegría Palace houses the Euskal Herria Museum, where you can see tools, clothing, and objects that show how Basque people lived through different time periods. The Santa Maria Church, constructed between 1418 and 1715, rises above the town with its Gothic architecture and tall bell tower. Walk through the Park of the Peoples of Europe to see modern sculptures by Eduardo Chillida and Henry Moore among trees and walking paths.
