If there is a theme to our trip it must be a study of conflict in Europe and hopefully with our visit to the Basque town of Gernika its resolution as well. In 1937 during the Spanish Civil War on the orders of General Franco the town was bombed for several hours by German and Italian planes. Hundreds were killed and the significance of the attack was that for the first time civilians were targeted in an air raid using a 'blitzkrieg' strategy which was to become common in WW2. Few buildings were left standing among which were the arms factory and the Renteria Bridge, the supposed target for the attack. Outrage at the carnage was felt around the world and inspired Pablo Picasso to paint 'Guernica' which has become a symbol to the peace movement.We visited the excellent Peace Museum which explores concepts of peace such as what it is, how to transform conflict and achieving resolution. Evocative displays give a graphic illustration of life in the Civil War and the terror and panic created by the air raid. Material is also used from the intertwined Basque Conflict to further develop the themes of the museum.
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