San Sebastián

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.

Table of contents

1 History
2 Culture
3 External Link

History

c. 1180 Donostia awarded status as fuero by King of Navarre

1807 Napoleonic forces capture San Sebastian

1813 Siege of San Sebastian results in destruction by fire of city

1863 City walls demolished; expansion of city begins

1937 Province falls to fascist forces

Landmarks

Monte Igueldo Monte Urgull Museo de San Telmo Palacio de Miramar

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. On 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.