San Sebastián is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain’s mountainous Basque Country. It’s known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade which is beautiful to walk along.
San Sebastian also seems to be famous for its surfing lessons, english schools and food. Unfortunately for me I am on a shoestring budget and as I only have a week left of my 5-month round the world trip my budget is tight. Note to self, return to San Sebastian just to experience the incredible restaurants the city is famous for.
The Old Town is bordered by three natural elements: Monte Urgull, the Rio Urumea and the The Concha Bay. It was also surrounded by a city wall until 1863, when it was demolished to make way for the new town.
The main square, Plaza de la Constitutión, lies at the heart of the Old Town. The balconies on the colourful buildings that line the square display numbers dating back to the time when it was used as a bullring.
The Old Town is a foodie hotspot but since my budget doesn’t allow for it on this trip I am exploring some of the cities oldest churches.
San Vicente Church: the oldest in the city. Gothic in style and built in the first half of the 16th century, its interior is home to a very fine Romanesque altarpiece, the work of Ambrosio de Bengoechea and Juan de Iriarte. Sharing the limelight is the 1868 French organ by Cavaille-Coll and impressive stained glass windows. On one side of the facade is the sculpture of the “Pietà” by the artist Jorge Oteiza. People christened in San Vicente are known as “koxkeros” for the stones protruding from the church (koxka in Basque).
Basilica of Santa María: an impressive Baroque work dating from the 18th century in the Old Town’s busy Calle Mayor. This work of art has a particularly interesting Baroque facade of Churrigueresque hues with its large sculpture of Saint Sebastian Martyr, and an altarpiece dedicated to Our Lady of the Choir, the city’s patron saint. Alongside the baptismal font is a cross-shaped sculpture by Eduardo Chillida. The Basilica was built between 1743 and 1774, on the foundations of an earlier church that occupied the same space.
At the opposite end of the Old Town is the Museo San Telmo; an ancient 16th century Dominican convent, once used as military barracks and home today of the new Museum of Basque Society and Citizenship. The building has a cloister and an ancient church well worth the visit.