San Sebastián

San Sebastián or Donostia, officially known by the bilingual name Donostia / San Sebastián (Basque) : is a city and municipality located in the Basque Autonomous Community in Spain. It lies on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, 20 km (12 miles) from the France–Spain border. The capital city of the province of Gipuzkoa. Locals call themselves donostiarra in Basque, also using this term when speaking in Spanish. It is also a part of Basque Eurocity Bayonne-San Sebastián.

Walking around Mount Urgull will transport you to a bygone era. Along the way you will find the traces that the different historical vicissitudes have left in the city. You will also discover fortifications and part of the wall that once embraced Donostia/San Sebastián and that today is one of the few remaining witnesses of the war battles and sieges it suffered in the nineteenth century. In 1794, Monte Urgull witnessed the first capitulation of the city at the hands of the French and witnessed, helplessly, the fire of what is now the old town that, as a result of the battle of the French troops with the Anglo-Portuguese army, destroyed the city in 1813. This event is still remembered every August 31 on the street of the same name. Overlooking the sea and the city, along the different paths that cross it you can enjoy unique views of the town. Viewpoints that are hidden among wooded landscapes that will allow you to observe Donostia/San Sebastián from a different perspective. A walk that will take you to the top, where the impressive statue of the Sacred Heart and the fortifications and cannons of the Castillo de la Mota await your arrival.

The city centre and the Old Town of Donostia / San Sebastian, known as the Parte Vieja. After the city walls were demolished, the Romantic Area, the social and economic heart of the city, was built. Belle Époque in San Sebastian. The Romantic Area captures the elegance of the Belle Époque with its majestic buildings in the French style. The City Hall, the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Hotel María Cristina bear witness to the urban transformation of San Sebastian in the late 19th century. Another must-see is the Cathedral of the Buen Pastor, a striking example of Neo-Gothic architecture that brings this walk through the charm and history of the city to an end.

The Basilica of Santa María is an impressive 18th century Baroque building that presides over Calle Mayor in the heart of San Sebastián’s Old Town. It was built between 1743 and 1774 on the foundation of a older church that occupied the same space. The main entrance to the basilica is on a straight line from the entrance to Buen Pastor Cathedral 1 kilometre away. The Baroque façade with its Churrigueresque touches is a particular highlight, topped by a sculpture of Saint Sebastian the Martyr, and the main altarpiece dedicated to the Virgen del Coro, patron saint of the city.

The Church of San Vicente is located in San Sebastián’s Old Town. It is the oldest church in the city. Built in the Gothic style during the first half of the 16th century, its interior houses one of the best Romanesque altarpieces, a work by Ambrosio de Bengoechea and Juan de Iriarte.

Buen Pastor is the cathedral of Donostia – San Sebastián and has capacity of 4000 people. It opened in 1897 and was elevated to cathedral status in 1953. The building was designed by San Sebastián architect Manuel de Echave. This church is in the Neogothic style covering an area of 1915 square meters. It has a symmetrical rectangular form in the shape of a Latin cross with 3 naves, a transept and a presbytery. It was built with sandstone from the quarries of Mount Igueldo and has a great variety of decorative elements including stained glass windows.

La Concha beach is one of Donostia-San Sebastián most iconic locations. Located right in the heart of the city, it offers visitors magnificent views from its beautiful shell-shaped bay, looking over Santa Clara Island in the centre, flanked on the sides by Mount Urgull and Mount Igeldo. The beach is 1,350 meters long.

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