Gernikako Arbola

Gernikako Arbola (Basque for "Tree of Gernika ") is an oak in the Basque town of Gernika, which symbolizes the traditional freedom of Biscay and in the broader sense of the Basque Country.

In the Middle Ages, the representatives of the people held in the reign of Biscay from meetings under large trees and swore their oath under this tree, as well as the Lehendakari of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. Later, the function of the individual meetings of the Assembly of Gernika was acquired in 1512. Thus, the oak was now on a symbolic meaning, while other meetings were held in a specially constructed Hermitage. The current building was built in 1833.

Throughout history, there is still several known copies in the dynasty of the tree that have been repeatedly set new:

  • The original tree was planted in the 14th century and lasted about 450 years.
  • The so-called " Old Tree " (1742-1892) was then updated in 1811. Strain is now in a small temple in the neighboring garden.
  • The third tree in the Succession (1858-2004) was updated in 1860, survived the air attack on Guernica in 1937, but died of fungal infection. The gardeners of the administration of Biscay have several grown from the acorns of the tree tree specimens for resetting.
  • The current tree from 1986 was then placed on the place of his predecessor on 25 February 2005.

The importance of the tree is described by an incident which occurred shortly after the bombing Gernikas. When Franco's troops took the city, were volunteers from Bizkaia armed guards around the tree to protect it against the Phalangists, who wanted to make this symbol of Basque nationalism.

The logo of the Social Democratic Party Eusko Alkartasuna ( Basque Solidarity ) and the former logo of the organization of young nationalists, as well as the youth organization Jarrai use an oak leaf.

The Tree of Gernika is depicted on the coat of arms of Biscay.

The Basque authorities give offshoot of the oak as a sign of friendship and solidarity to Basque groups that left their homeland and settled in other parts of the world, as well as town twinning.

Gernikako Arbola is also the title of a song. It is the unofficial anthem of the Basques, in addition to the official national anthem of Eusko Abendaren Ereserkia.

Lyrics

TREE OF GERNIKA

Blessed is the Tree of Gernika, loved by all Basques. Support and spread your fruit in the world, we worship you, Holy tree.

Around a thousand years, says one, is here, that the Lord planted the tree of Gernika. Stand upright today and all time rushes you, we are lost.

You will not fall, beloved tree, behaves the Council of Biscay properly. We four provinces unite with you, so that the Basques live in peace.

We all kneel down and pray to the Lord that the tree live forever. And we ask him from the heart about the tree is live, now and always.

They seek to topple the tree, which we all know in the Basque Country. Well, fellow countrymen, our time has come we take care that he does not fall.

For you always spring will be spotless flower for ages. Have mercy on us, beloved tree, gives us thy fruit, lose no time.

And the tree tells us to live vigilant and with all my heart to pray to the Lord. We do not want war, but eternal peace, around here to pay our just laws.

Let us pray to God our Lord, peace now and forever, strength for your Country and his blessing for the Basque people.

Jose Maria Iparragirre, 1853

Swell

43.31303 - 2.67997Koordinaten: 43 ° 18 ' 47 " N, 2 ° 40 ' 48" W

  • Single tree in Europe
  • Geography (Spain )
  • Autonomous Community of the Basque Country
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