Guernica

About

Officially founded in 1366 at an important trading crossroads, the town is an integral part of Basque culture - during the Middle Ages, Basque leaders would meet at the Biscayan Assembly House to make important community decisions, and even today, the Basque president takes his oath under the Guernica Tree. Inside, visitors can admire paintings of the Lords of Biscay, or the giant stained glass depicting the Guernica Tree and the history of the assemblies. The Santa Maria church, begun in 1418, wasn't completed until 1715, so exhibits various architectural styles. While it’s considered one of the region’s best examples of Gothic architecture, the highlight might be the Walcker organ from 1889 inside. At the center of town is the interactive Peace Museum, which exhibits extensive photographic and audiovisual testimonies from the infamous bombing in hopes of educating visitors about the history of Guernica and the importance of peace.