Gernika, living history of Basque people
The Assembly House and the Tree of Gernika are the best representatives of our essence. Authentic symbols of of Basque freedom and identity that not even the tragic bombing of 1937 managed to overthrow.
World-renowed for Picasso’s touching namesake masterpiece, the town of Gernika (Gernika-Lumo, officially) has been for centuries the venue for assemblies of representatives of the towns and villages of Biscay.
Located in the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, the earliest records of the meetings beneath the famous oak tree date from the 14th century. It is here where the fueros, the set of laws that granted autonomy to the Basque people and where the Lords of Biscay and Kings of Castile swore to respect the liberties of Bizkaia.
Today, the tradition is still alive and next to the Tree of Gernika is where the Lehendakari (president in Basque) swears the office before facing his tasks as leader of the Basque Government.

All things Basque
Basque people are unique: They speak a language of their own and stick to deeply-rooted traditions
April 26th of 1937 is a black day in our history. On that day, a conglomerate of German and Italian air forces razed the town in support of the Francoist side during the course of the Civil War. The population was massacred, however, the Assembly House and the Tree of Gernika survived. Their survival contributed even more to turning this oak into a symbol of the Basque people and the town into an anti-war icon.
In the Middle Ages, it was common for the leaders of different peoples, of the nowadays known as Europe, to gather under a tree to enact their laws and reach for agreements. In fact, the Assembly House of Gernika hosted the assembly in which the legislative power of Bizkaia was exercised. At that time, the call for the appointment was made by making the horns thunder from the horn mounts, hence its name, five summits strategically located to spread its sound throughout the territory. From west to the east; Kolitza, Ganekogorta, Gorbeia, Oiz and Sollube. You can climb any of these peaks and get an idea of how the horns sounded simultaneously and the bonfires were lit to summon the Assemblies.
The visit to the Assembly House and the Foral Oak tree is an obligatory stop if you are interested in learning about not only the history of Bizkaia but also of the towns of the whole of Euskal Herria, with a shared cultural, linguistic and ethnographic tradition. In neoclassical style, the architect Antonio de Etxebarria designed the Assembly House. The construction was completed in 1833.
The main room is called Assembly Room and it is here that the plenary sessions of the General Assemblies of Bizkaia are currently held. The room is decorated with portraits of the different Lords of Vizcaya as well as with elements from the hermitage of Santa María la Antigua, the church that used to occupy the same place.
In addition to this room, the Stained-glass Room stands out, with a clear protagonist, the stained-glass window that covers the ceiling and in which both the Tree of Gernika and the history of these assemblies are portrayed.
Entrance to the building is free and guided tours are offered in Basque, Spanish and English. It should not be forgotten that for this service it is important to make an appointment beforehand as Assembly House is still active.
Our tree, the oak
The Tree of Gernika is the past, present and future of Basque history. It is a symbol of our identity. Even today, the lehendakari swears his office under its branches, in the same way as the Lords of Vizcaya did in ancient times. It is represented in the coat of arms of Bizkaia and inspired the song "Gernikako arbola", by José María Iparraguirre, which has become an unofficial Basque anthem.
The first Gernika Tree, the “Father Tree” dates back to the XIV century. However, the tree we see today was planted in 2015. The remains of an older Gernika tree can be seen in the gardens surrounding the Assembly House. This "Old Tree" was planted in 1742 when the "Father Tree" dried up.
The symbol of Basque identity and sovereignty has crossed borders thus extending its legacy. In recent years, around 60 sprouts of this noble oak have been planted in various communities of the faraway Basque diaspora, such as Argentina, Mexico, Colombia United States and Australia. These trees are given to entities and institutions that veil for the public and social interest. Each one of these are accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by the presidency of the General Assemblies of Bizkaia.
Routes
We recommend that you complement your visit to Gernika-Lumo with a stop at two fundamental museums: the Peace Museum and the Euskal Herria Museum. The Peace Museum Foundation is an interactive museum that takes you back to April 26th 1937, the day when bombs reduced the town to rubble. Its impressive photographic exhibition and the emotional audio-visual testimonies of the survivors of the massacre make it an essential stop.
If you want to complete your route through Basque history, do not forget to visit the Euskal Herria Museum and Peace Museum
As for the Euskal Herria Museum, located in a baroque palace, you will be able to get inside the history of the Basque people, our culture and traditions, as well as to familiarize with our folklore and sport (herri kirolak) in an interactive way.
What's more, if you are interested in taking action, nearby is the world's largest active fronton, the Jai Alai, where you can discover the history of the zesta-punta (basket tip) and even play a game of this famous sport. The best at 15 wins.
The yellow arrows and the number of pilgrims you will find in your walk through the town, betray the passage of the Way of St. James through Gernika-Lumo. It forms part of the northern route, which stands out for the beauty of its landscapes. Pilgrims come from the Monastery of Ziortza and in Gernika they rest before facing the next stage heading to Bilbao.
How to get there
Gernika-Lumo lies in the area of Busturialdea, in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve. Relevant to the history of the Basque people, the town is well connected, with excellent links to Bilbao and other towns in Bizkaia by road or rail, both by public and private transport.
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Train
The Atxuri-Gernika-Bermeo train, run by Euskotren, departs from Atxuri station in Bilbao and gets to Geltoki central station in Gernika.
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Bus
Bizkaibus has several bus lines that reach Gernika from Bilbao and the other towns in Biscay. Check bus lines and timetables at the Bizkaibus website.
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Car
Gernika is 36 kilometres away from Bilbao so it takes half an hour to get there. Take the AP-8 to Amorebieta-Etxano and from there road BI-635, which leads to the centre of town.
Gastronomy
Where to eat
Before leaving Gernika, taste a good plate of beans, especially in winter, or fried Gernika peppers – they are delicious! Talo (corn tortilla) and chorizo or Idiazabal cheese pintxos are traditional artisan foods they sell at bars, markets and fairs. In fact, the best moment to visit Gernika is on Mondays, the weekly market day.
Gernika lies in the heart of the Urdaibai Biosphere Reserve, a natural area surrounded by small vineyards. We recommend a tour of a DO Bizkaiko Txakolina winery to sip txakoli, the typical Basque wine made mostly in coastal areas. On a winery tour, you will learn the basics of wine tasting and food-wine pairing.
Accommodation
Where to sleep
If you are planning to spend the night in Gernika-Lumo, you will need to book a hotel, country house or apartment in advance, since there is not a wide choice of places to stay.
If you are driving a car, the nearby lovely towns in the area are only a short drive away from Gernika-Lumo.
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Assembly House and Gernika Tree
Allende Salazar kalea, 1.
48300 Gernika-Lumo
Telephone numer: +34 94 625 11 38
E-mail address: batzar.etxea@bizkaia.netGernika Peace Museum Foundation
Foru plaza, 1.
48300 Gernika-Lumo
Telephone number: +34 94 627 02 13
E-mail address: museoa@gernika-lumo.netMuseo Euskal Herria
Allende Salazar kalea, 5.
48300 Gernika-Lumo
Telephone number: +34 94 625 54 51
E-mail address: euskalherriamuseoa@bizkaia.eus-
Timetable
Tourist office
Low season (November to Easter)
Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Saturdays and Sundays: from 10 am to 2 pm.High season (Easter until the last Monday in October)
Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm
Sundays from 10 am to 2pm.Closing days during the year:
January: 1st and 6th.
December 24th, 25th and 31st.Peace Museum Foundation
March-September
Monday: closed (except on designated days)
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
January: 1st to 30th closed for annual maintenanceGernika Tree and Assembly House
Every day from 10 am to 2 pm and from 4 pm to 6 pm
From June to September: open until 7 pm
Admission free of chargeEuskal Herria Museum
Tuesday to Saturday: 10h-14h and 16h-19h
Sunday: 10:30 am-2:30 pm
Holidays, July and August from 4:00 pm-7:30 pm -
Price
Single ticket Peace Museum + Euskal Herria Museum: on sale at the Gernika Tourist Office. Its price is 4, 75 €.
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Location
Gernika-Lumo
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If you intend to come to Gernika on your trip, we recommend that you purchase a single ticket so that you can enjoy a visit to the Peace Museum and the Euskal Herria Museum with the same ticket. Entrance to the Assembly House is free of charge. This ticket is valid for 15 days. Please note that museums are closed on Mondays.
Tourist Office
Artekalea, 8.
Telephone number: +34 94 625 58 92
E-mail: turismo@gernika-lumo.net
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