The Basque Block

Category: Cultural Attractions & Organizations

Grove St between 6th St & Capitol Blvd
Boise, ID 83702

ONGI ETORRI!
WELCOME TO THE BASQUE BLOCK

Numbering about 16,000, Boise's Basque community is one of the largest such communities in the United States. Boise area Basques are very proud of their unique heritage like all other Basque communities, but the Boise and Treasure Valley Basques have a unique area to call their own - The Basque Block!

The Basque Block is one of Idaho’s most compelling examples of conservation and documentation of a living ethnic neighborhood. Located downtown between Capitol Boulevard and 6th Street on Grove, the Basque Block is comprised of two boarding houses - the Cyrus Jacobs-Uberruaga house, and the Anduiza with its unique indoor frontón court (jai alai, now pala arena), the Basque Center, the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, Bar Gernika, Leka Ona restaurant, and the Basque Market...

The Basque Block occupies only one block in downtown Boise, but it is felt around the world! The Basque culture in Boise, Idaho and the surrounding region call The Basque Block home. And in many ways, it was home to many of the Basque emigres and immigrants who came to Idaho in the 1800's through the end of the Franco era in Spain. It was a place where they could find a bed, food of their home country Euskadi and keep the Basque language Euskera alive.