Guernica (town) facts for kids
Guernica (say it like "GHER-nee-kah") is a special town in Spain. It's located in a region called the Basque Country, specifically in the province of Biscay. Guernica is part of a larger area called a municipality (which is like a local government district). This municipality is known as Gernika-Lumo because it includes the nearby town of Lumo. In 2004, about 15,571 people lived in the whole Gernika-Lumo area.
Guernica is famous around the world for a very sad reason. It was bombed by the Nazis in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. After this terrible event, a famous artist named Pablo Picasso painted a huge anti-war picture called Guernica. This painting is now known all over the globe.
About Guernica
Guernica is a town with a long history. It is in the northern part of Spain, close to the coast. The Basque Country, where Guernica is located, has its own unique language and culture. The town of Guernica-Lumo is an important place for the Basque people.
A Sad Day in History
On April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War, Guernica was attacked from the air. Airplanes from Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy bombed the town. This attack caused a lot of damage and loss of life. It was one of the first times in history that a town was bombed so heavily from the air. The bombing of Guernica shocked the world. It showed how terrible war could be for regular people.
Picasso's Famous Painting
The bombing of Guernica inspired Pablo Picasso to create his masterpiece, Guernica. This painting is very large and uses only black, white, and gray colors. It shows the pain and suffering caused by war. The painting became a powerful symbol against war and violence. Today, it is displayed in a museum in Madrid, Spain. Many people wish the painting could be moved to Guernica itself.
Images for kids
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Tiled wall in Guernica. The writing asks for Picasso's painting to be moved here.
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Santa María Church
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The famous Tree of Guernica
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A cesta-punta player
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Guernica marketplace
