Gernikako Arbola — The Oak of Gernika
A single oak tree in a courtyard beside the Casa de Juntas assembly house carries the entire political soul of the Basque people. This is not just a tree — it is a living constitutional monument that lords and later Spanish monarchs swore beneath for centuries.
Centuries of Symbolism
The current tree, planted in 2015, is the latest successor in an unbroken lineage of oaks that have stood on this spot since at least the 14th century. The stump of the previous 'New Tree' (planted 1860) is preserved under a neoclassical pavilion just steps away, and the even older ancient stump sits in its own glass case inside the Casa de Juntas.
Basque lords traditionally travelled to Gernika to swear to uphold local fueros (ancient rights and laws) beneath this oak, a tradition that gave the tree its near-sacred status. The famous poem 'Gernikako Arbola' by José María Iparraguirre, written in 1853, became an unofficial Basque anthem and is still sung at gatherings today.
The Casa de Juntas Next Door
The handsome neoclassical Casa de Juntas houses the Parliament of Bizkaia and is open to visitors free of charge. Its stained-glass ceiling dome depicting the oak tree and Basque coat of arms is one of the most photographed interiors in the province — look up the moment you enter the main hall.
Guided tours of the assembly chamber run on weekdays and give you a sense of how this space continues to function as a living democratic institution, not merely a heritage showpiece.
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