Gernika

Camino del Norte

To end of camino
716.6
Altitude
20

Ajangiz

1.90

Gernika

7.30

Alto de Morga

Services
ATM
Yes
Bar
Yes
Bus
Yes
Bus Terminal
Yes
Correos
Yes
Grocery
Yes
Hospital
Yes
Medical Center
Yes
Pharmacy
Yes
Train
Yes

The tragedies of war have created in Gernika something of an anomalous urban layout; a great many buildings were destroyed, nearly three-quarters of them, and new buildings were shoehorned into their place. It remains pedestrian friendly and is large enough to take up your afternoon.

On your way into town, stop into the Iglesia de Santa María, a Basque Gothic church, and on the way out you’ll pass the Casa de Juntas which can be toured; otherwise just take a pause near the Tree of Gernika, which for centuries served as the meeting places for the Lords of Viscaya.

Between these two are a few museums to explore, but the most important one is the Museo de La Paz (Peace Museum), an exhibition both frightening and enlightening. If you want more Basque culture, visit the Museo de Euskal Herría.

Notice

Beyond Gernika the camino is without any services for 15km, pack accordingly.

Fiesta

Andra Mari y San Roque from the 9th to 18th of August.
Monday remains the Market day, as it has for centuries.

History

The names of Gernika and Picasso are inseparable, bound together since the talented artist was commissioned by the Second Spanish Republic to commemorate the horrific events that took place here on an April market day in 1936; it was propaganda at its most artistic level. The massive painting, now on permanent display in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, became one of the most important works of the 20th century but did little to affect the outcome of the civil war.

The Road

Keep going straight after crossing the bridge into Gernika, following the road to where it ends at a large mural recreating Picasso’s famous painting depicting the city under bombardment. Turn left there, uphill and against traffic, passing the Iglesia de Santa María de la Antigua. A few buildings later you will turn right to pass between the park and the Convento de Santa Clara. When this road ends at a larger one, turn left. Further on keep left at the fork in the road, heading downhill to a roundabout.

At this point, you are surrounded by residential buildings on all sides. Go straight through the roundabout to the next one, and turn right when you get to it. Keep straight along this road, and straight again through the park when the road ends in a bend. Past the ermita in the park it is a left turn and a right immediately after, past the last of Gernika’s urban expansion and into the countryside. From here you begin to wind your way steeply up to the Alto de Morga.

City Map

Comments

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

Not noted in this app and was hard to find online. Worth checking in advance if it has opened again before planning a stay here. As far as I can see no others albergues in the town so only other option would be a hotel or perhaps staying in an albergue just before or after.

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

found everything nice and clean. Also very quiet during the night though it's in the middle of the town

Camino de Sant… (not verified)

We stayed at Hotel Bolina and found ourselves surrounded by bed bugs the next morning! Rooms 32 and 36! Apparently the hotel owner was aware but underestimated the issue. We spend a whole day cleaning and washing everything!

Camino de Sant…

Guernika is lovely! We couldnt find anywhere to stay in tiwn though so went to the hostel 5km away up the hill. Highly recommend.

Camino de Sant…

Guernika is lovely! We couldnt find anywhere to stay in tiwn though so went to the hostel 5km away up the hill. Highly recommend.