Spain Trivia: Basque Travel Facts
Guernica, pelota, Athletic Bilbao & shark-feeding in San Sebastian
Spain: Information on the Painted Forest, cider houses, Victor Hugo, the fastest sport in the world, Michelin-starred restaurants, the Museo Naval & the Guggenheim Museum
The Basque region in the north of Spain is one of the most quixotic places in the country. With its own separatist movement and a language with no relation to any other European language, there is something a little different. Still, with the regeneration of Bilbao and the great restaurants of San Sebastian – amongst other fantastic attractions, there is plenty to keep holidaymakers occupied there. Here are some facts, trivia and information that may be useful for visitors who travel there.
- Bilbao is one of the world’s great regeneration success stories. Whilst formerly regarded as a bit of an industrial hellhole, Bilbao underwent a huge rejuvenation in the 1990s. This largely spurred on by the innovative Guggenheim Museum, one of the architectural wonders of the modern world.
- Want great food? The city of San Sebastian is generally regarded as the culinary capital of Spain, and is home to many fantastic restaurants. In fact, it has more Michelin stars than any other city in Spain – including ones with much bigger populations.
- Other attractions in San Sebastian include the aquarium where you can feed sharks, and the Museo Naval, which explores the Basque seafaring tradition.
- Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Guernica was made about the Basque town of the same name. Guernica suffered terribly in the Spanish Civil War. Over 2,000 were killed in various bombing raids. Guernica is also a major place for the Basque separatist movement, and the Basque parliament traditionally met under a tree there.
- Guernica is also home to a quirky attraction – El Bosque Pintado de Oma (the Painted Forest).
- Fans of Victor Hugo can visit his house in Pasajes.
- The Basque region borders Navarra, Castilla Y Leon, La Rioja and Cantabria.
- The main sport of the Basque region (apart from the ubiquitous football) is pelota, the fastest sport in the world. It involves balls being flung at a wall from hand-baskets at utterly frightening speeds. Another variation on the sport is called Jai-Alai.
- Spanish Primera Liga football team Athletic Bilbao has a long-standing policy of only selecting players born in the Basque limitation. Despite the severely restricted playing base, Bilbao are one of the most successful sides in Spain.
- Cider is the big drink of the Basque region, and you can take a drink at many of the cider houses across the big cities.
- If you’re planning to catch a wave or two, then go to Zarautz, which has breaks so good that it hosts a round of the world surfing championship.
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