THE STAINED-GLASS WINDOW ROOM
This space, originally designed by the architect as an open courtyard, was converted into a museum devoted to the history of Bizkaia in 1964. With the reinstatement of the General Assemblies, the House recovers its importance and the room is destined for institutional uses.
The huge stained-glass window which acts as the roof immediately attracts one's attention. Installed in 1985 it is the biggest work ever carried out by the Bilbao firm of craftsmen, Vidrieras de Arte, S.A. It graphically represents the symbolism of the tree as a meeting point for the different municipalities in Bizkaia. In the centre, the Tribune and tree make direct reference to the original Assemblies; beside these, the inscription "Lege Zaharra
" (Old Law) remembering the old laws that the Seignior or Lord had to swear to respect; and, moreover, reference to the economic activities of the Territory through allusive images. All round the central section, we find a border showing the most representative monuments of the different localities in Bizkaia. The symbolism of the Tree, as the meeting point for the different towns in Bizkaia, can be seen in the stained-glass window.
OTHER OBJECTS
Other historical object related with the Territorial institution can be seen in the room:
- Small hollow silver balls, used for voting in the Assemblies (XVII c.).
- Command batons of the Deputies-General (Prime Ministers) (XVIII c.).
- Silver writing materials used by the General Assemblies (XVIII c.).
- Staffs or crooks of office (used by the parish authorities as an external symbol of the offices they held).
- Cross present at the oath-taking by Bizkaia Regional Councillors and officials.
- Model made in 1931 by Jon Argatxa Etxeandia and restored in 1978.
Lyric and Religion", painted by Gustavo de Maestu (1887-1947) depicts a tragic storm that took place off the coast near Bermeo on 20th April 1870, in which 255 Basque and Cantabrian seamen perished.
Gernikako Arbola" (Tree of Gernika), can be seen in the same room.
