Information AboutGernika |
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Guernica (pronounced in ) is the English and Spanish Language name for the Spanish Basque city of ''Gernika''. The city is united in one municipality with neighbouring Luno, and the combined entity is known as '''Guernica and Luno''' (''Gernika-Lumo'' or ''Guernica y Luno''). ''Population'' is 15,571 ( 2004 ). It is currently the seat of the Junta (parliament) of the province of Vizcaya , whose executive branch is located in nearby Bilbao . For centuries prior it had been the meeting place of the Traditional Biscayne assembly, which met under an Oak tree, the Gernikako Arbola , which was a symbol of traditional freedoms of the Basque People . The trees are always renewed by their descendants. One of the trees that had lived until the 1800s may be seen, petrified, near the assembly house. A tree planted in 1860 to replace it died in 2004 and was in turn replaced; the sapling which had been set to become the official Gernikako Arbola is also sick so the tree will not be replaced until the earth around the site has been refreshed. A hermitage was built besides the tree to double as an assembly place, followed by the current house of assembly (Casa de Juntas), built in 1826. HISTORY The Lords of Biscay, upon receiving their title, would come to Guernica to swear that they would respect the Biscayne freedoms. Later the lordship became attached to the title of King Of Castile so the kings came to Guernica to swear. Outside the Basque lands the city is best known as the scene of an early instance of Aerial Bombing by the German '' Luftwaffe '' ( Condor Legion ) on April 26 , 1937 , during the Spanish Civil War (''see Bombing Of Guernica ''). The Germans were attacking to support the efforts of Francisco Franco to overturn the Spanish Republic an government. The town was devastated, though the Biscayne assembly and the Gernikako Arbola survived. Pablo Picasso painted his famous "Guernica" painting to commemorate the horrors of the bombing. Because of its symbolic value, the current Statute Of Autonomy Of The Basque Country was approved in Guernica 29 December 1978, with the support of the Basque Country government-in-exile, heirs to the 1936 Statue of Autonomy. Every Lehendakari (Basque President) takes his oath there. ENVIRONMENT The Gernika Estuary or Urdaibai is a Biosphere Reserve , with a rich area of marsh and sand banks that is home to a great variety of bird species. SPORTS Gernika is home to the Gernika Jai Alai , one of the main courts for the Jai Alai sport. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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