Gernika: The Oak Tree and the Bombing
Basque Country, Spain
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Gernikako Arbola
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275
XP
+100 Spain
= 375 total
1 day
Gernika: The Oak Tree and the Bombing
275 + 100 XP
Gernika was the symbolic seat of Basque law — the lords of Biscay swore to respect the fueros under an oak tree here. On Monday 26 April 1937 the German Condor Legion and the Italian Aviazione Legionaria bombed the town on market day. It held about five thousand people plus refugees, perhaps ten thousand in all. The rebel side then claimed for decades that the Basques had burned their own town, a lie that outlasted the war and the dictatorship. Picasso painted Guernica that year, and the town has been a byword for the bombing of civilians ever since.
Required Activities
1
of 5
Go to the Casa de Juntas and find the oak under which the fueros were sworn
2
of 5
Go through the Peace Museum, which reconstructs what 26 April 1937 was actually like from inside the town
3
of 5
Work out what was claimed afterwards — that the Basques burned their own town — and how long that lie survived
4
of 5
Find the reproduction of Picasso's Guernica in the town, and work out why the original is not here
5
of 5
Work out why this town and not another: it was the symbol of Basque self-government, and it was market day
Go to the Casa de Juntas and find the oak under which the fueros were sworn
Go through the Peace Museum, which reconstructs what 26 April 1937 was actually like from inside the town
Work out what was claimed afterwards — that the Basques burned their own town — and how long that lie survived
Find the reproduction of Picasso's Guernica in the town, and work out why the original is not here
Work out why this town and not another: it was the symbol of Basque self-government, and it was market day
Before you go
The Peace Museum deals directly with the killing of civilians and is not suitable for young children.
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About Basque Country
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Challenge Location
XP Breakdown
Challenge XP
275 XP
Spain country bonus
+100 XP
Potential total
375 XP
Country bonus earned on completion of your first challenge in Spain.
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