Geography > Europe > Spain > Basque Country > Guipúzcoa

San Sebastián with sailboats

San Sebastián (Donostia in Basque) is the capital city of the province of Guipúzcoa, in the Spanish autonomous community of Basque Country. Its population is 178,017 (2001 estimate).

The city is located in the northeast of Spain, on the Bay of Biscay, close to the French border. San Sebastian's picturesque coastline makes it a popular beach resort.

History

c. 1174 Donostia awarded status as fuero by King Sancho VI of Navarre

1200 The city is conquered by Castille, whose king Alphonse VIII, confirms its fuero.

1728 The foundation of the "Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas" boosts commerce with the Americas.

1808 Napoleonic forces capture San Sebastián

1813 British and Portuguese troops siege San Sebastián and eventually defeat French occupying troops. After being welcome by the inhabitants, newcomers burn the city down.

1813 The city is rebuilt in the same spot.

1863 City walls demolished; expansion of city begins

1937 Province falls to fascist forces in Civil War

Landmarks

• Igueldo Mountain
• Urgull Mountain
• San Telmo Museum
• Miramar Palace
• Kursaal Palace
• Santa Clara Island

Recreation

San Sebastián/Donostia is the home city of the Primera División football club Real Sociedad.

Culture

Every year on January 20th the people of San Sebastián celebrate a festival known as the Tamborrada. At midnight in the Constitution plaza in the old city, the leader of the festival raises the flag of San Sebastián, and for 24 hours the entire city is awash with the sound of drums.

A festival called La Semana Grande de San Sebastián is held every year in August. There is a fireworks competition in which every night, there is a fireworks presentation over the bay, and at the end, a winner is declared.

San Sebastián is known for its tapas and restaurant district near the port of San Sebastián.

External Link

• Official website
• San Sebastian photos
• Donostia photos
• City photos