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Geography > Europe > Spain > Basque Country > Guipuscoa
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. 1180 Donostia awarded status as fuero by King Sancho VI of Navarre
1807 Napoleonic forces capture San Sebastián
1813 Siege of San Sebastián results in destruction by fire of city
1863 City walls demolished; expansion of city begins
1937 Province falls to fascist forces
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. 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.
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
| Municipalities in Guipúzcoa | Coatofguipúzcoa.jpg Coat of Guipúzcoa
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