Capital of the Basque Country

The capital of the Basque Country has always been in question and now it is time to clarify the details.

Vitoria is the seat of the Basque government institutions but it cannot be qualified as the capital of the Basque Autonomous Community as it has no legal recognition, the de facto capital has not always been in the same place and here we will tell you about the movements it has had during its history.

For centuries, as was common in medieval Europe, the people of Biscay gathered under a tree, in this case an oak tree, with each town sending two representatives, which was a great step forward for democracy. Under the presence of this tree, located in the town of Gernika, the laws of Biscay were decided until 1876. It was also the place where the rulers took the oath of office and thanks to all these events, the tree of Gernika became a symbol of the people of Biscay. The tragic bombing of Gernika by the German Condor legion of the Luftwaffe transformed Gernika into the symbol of the Basque people.

Bombing of Gernika

After the bombing, the Casa de Juntas of Gernika was one of the buildings that remained standing and witnessed countless political meetings and events, until in 1980 in the process of transition, it was decided in this same house that the seat of the parliament and the Basque government should be moved to Vitoria Gazteiz.

Currently, the Casa de Juntas and the tree of Gernika are open to all tourists. For more information, please consult the Gernika Town Hall website.

The life of the “Tree of Gernika”:

1. Father Tree: This tree was born in the 14th century and witnessed the oaths of Ferdinand II and Isabella I “The Catholic”. It is believed that the life of this tree was from 1334 to 1881, but in 1742 an offshoot of it was planted with the intention of replacing the Father Tree.
2. Old Tree: Planted in 1742, this tree takes the place of the Father tree and dies in 1892, but not before (1860) another oak tree is planted to replace the old tree. In 1926 the old tree is installed next to the Casa de Juntas in a pavilion for its exhibition and memory.
3. Son Tree: It replaced the Old Tree and in its presence the different lehendakaris have sworn their charge. It also witnessed the bombing and was about to be cut down by Falangists, but it was due to fungus in 2004 when it finally perished and was replaced by another sapling in 2005. This last tree is the one that is still standing today (2014).

Tree of Gernika

On May 20, 1980 Vitoria became the administrative capital of the Basque Country and counts among its buildings the Basque Parliament and the Basque Government.

Basque Parliament: or Eusko Legebiltzarra, composed of 65 members represents Alava, Guipuzcoa and Biscay and its functions include the election of the president of the Basque Government (Lehendakari), the budgets of the Basque Country and the legislative power. As a curiosity and following the tradition of making decisions under a tree, the plenary session is presided over by the sculpture Izaro, which represents an oak tree.

Basque Government: or Eusko Jaurlaritza, directs the administration and is in charge of the executive power. The Lehendakari is the head of the government and is supported by the councilors.

Basque Parliament