for the Spain they believed to be better: in Gernika
for the Spain they believed to be better: air-raid shelters in Gernika On 26th April 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, the city of Gernika was swept to the ground by German and Italian planes from the Condor Legion and the Aviazione Legionaria, sent by Hitler and Mussolini to support Franco's troops. For nearly four hours, bombs dropped on Guernica in an "experiment" for blitzkrieg's tactics and the bombing of civilians seen in later wars. One of the reasons Gernika was chosen for the bombing is due to its importance both politically and historically. Underneath the Gernika tree’s branches, Basques were granted autonomy in the Middle Ages. Next to the tree is the Biscayan Assembly, a place where the political leaders have meet to decide the fate of their people over the ages. The Gernika bombing was deliberately made on Monday because it was known that Basques outside Guernica would travel to the city on Market Day, thereby giving German and Italian aircraft pilots a chance to kill so many innocent people as possible. According to the official site of Gernika-Lumo council “even though the bombing of Gernika took place on Monday 26th April 1937, which was market day, the Basque authorities had been aware from the very start of the Civil War that means of protection had to be sought for the civilian population, due to the bombing of Otxandio (municipality in southern Bizkaia) and of Bilbao early on in the war. As regards Gernika, the first shelters built in the charter city were planned during October and November 1936. (…) The Mayor of Gernika instructed municipal architect Castor Uriarte to have at least six shelters built for public use. At the same time, a large number of private shelters were also constructed.” These photos were taken in December 2020 . They show some interior views of the Pasealekua air raid shelter, on the west side of the Union Square and some exterior views of the Gernikako Tailerrak air-raid shelter. The latest photos show some views ot the Astra armaments factory and its air-raid shelter, which at that time –December 2020- was housing an exhibition of Auswitch extermination camp. More information: http://turismo.gernika-lumo.net/en-us/mustsee/Pages/refugios.aspx