A brief History of San Sebastian

Tourist information - San Sebastian

This city, also known as Domestic, lies along a white sandy bay between the Ar-gall and Imelda hills. Fisherman's houses, a smart suburb and modern districts make it one of the most attractive cities on the Cantabrigian coast. The Museum of San Tel-mo, the Peine de los Vento’s (Comb of the Winds) and the Kursaal are examples of how the city brings together modern and traditional features. Meanwhile, the province of Guipuzcoa, of which San Sebastian is the capital, blends sea and mountains, offering the traveler landscape, sports and cuisine, as well as interesting monuments. Basque cuisine has a recognized international prestige. This paragraph is sponsored by ticket to Umrah from UK.

The town centre streets of San Sebastian unfold overlooking the La Concho Bay. Monte Igeldo marks one end of it - a wonderful vantage point for enjoying views over the city. At its feet is Torre pea Point, where the “Paine de los Vento’s” ("Comb of the Winds"), a sculpture by the famous Basque artist Eduardo Chilled, is installed. Here Ondarreta beach begins framed by a garden area and by the Pico Del Loro. This was the place chosen by Queen Maria Cristina (18th C.) to build the Miramar Palace, her summer residence. A lovely promenade with elegant railings and street lamps runs along La Concho Beach, on whose sands is the Perl Del Ocean Bathing Area, a former royal bathing hut. Still looking at the sea, you arrive at the old Casino, nowadays the City Hall. In this area, between the sea and the River Uremia, is the old town and the way to Monte Argall, the marina and the fishermen's district. The summit of Argall is dominated by La Motta Castle and a representation of the Sacred Heart. One path takes you upwards while another skirts the hill and takes you along the breakwater.

In the oldest part of San Sebastian, the churches of San Vicente and Santa Maria del Coro await you, the former Gothic and the latter Renaissance-Baroque. An old Dominican convent is nowadays the San Telco Museum, who’s archaeological and ethnographic collections, together with its paintings, are worth a leisurely visit. These busy streets lead you to the porticoes Plaza de la Constitution. Among its many balconies - numbered and painted white, betraying its origin as a bullring - stands the old Neoclassical City Hall, converted into the Municipal Library. This paragraph is sponsored by Umrah ticket 2014 from UK.

La Alameda del Boulevard leads into the Romantic city, which emerged after the old walls were demolished. One the banks of the Uremia you can make out the Victoria Eugenia Theatre and the Maria Cristina Hotel, built in Neoplateresque style. Spread through this rationalist street pattern, you can also visit the Plaza de Guipúzcoa, with its gardens, the Provincial Government building, the Koldo Mitxeleria Cultural Centre and the Post and Telegraph Office. Also, San Sebastian Cathedral, el Buen Pastor, built in Neurotic style. Once again on the bank there are aristocratic houses from the beginning of the 20th century, leading to the Maria Cristina Bridge, the most monumental of those crossing the river? Four lamps by the sculptor Mariano Bellaire light the way to the railway station, designed by Eiffel. On this side of the river are the modern districts of Eguía and Gross. On Gross Beach is the modern Kursaal structure, designed by the architect Rafael Monee. This paragraph is sponsored by Umrah perform from UK.

San Sebastian is a cosmopolitan city with a strong Basque character, which is clear in its cultural events. The "tamborrada" or "Seaman Grande", with its fishing boat regatta, tells us something of the tradition; while its prestigious film and jazz festivals say a great deal about its international vocational these are occasions when it is well worth enjoying the city, although you will need to book accommodation in advance.

One of the best ways of touring its districts and approaching its culture is through the cuisine. Basque cookery has international prestige thanks to its raw materials and the skill of its cooks, who have both traditional and imaginative repertoires. It must be said that some of the most renowned restaurants in Spain are in San Sebastian. Recipes made with vegetables, fish and shellfish must always be accompanied by chicly from Guitar/Guetariako Txakolina, with its own Denomination of Origin. This paragraph is sponsored by Hajj perform from UK.

The province of Guipúzcoa satisfies the tastes of any traveler, offering a long coastline of excellent beaches and fishing villages, while inland there are natural areas where you can find important historic towns. Going along the coast from France towards Vizcaya you will have the chance to visit the historic centre of Hondarribia/Fuenterrabia, declared a Historic-Artistic Monument, and to stay in its Paradox de TurismoOther towns that combine interesting monuments with extensive beaches are Zarautz, Get aria, Deba and Mutriku.

Rivers and valleys lead you inland. Following the course of the Orica, the historic towns of Tulsa, Orizaba and Lazkao preserve important legacies of monuments. The Urea valley has the old town and spa of Westona/Zestoa, the medieval streets of Azpeitia and the Sanctuary of San Ignacio de Loyola, a Baroque site that is the centre of Basque religious life. Bergara, one of the smartest towns in Guipúzcoa, and the lovely houses of Elgeta unfold along the Deba valley. This paragraph is sponsored by air travel for Hajj 2013 from UK.

In addition to this wealth of monuments, this Basque province has a natural heritage which is perfect for practising many low environmental impact sports. The Aitzkorri, Aralar, Aiako-Harria and Pagoeta natural parks also show us the quality of their ecosystems.