View from our room
We walk through Old Town toward Mount Urgull, a hill with a small castle, fortifications, and cannons dating back to the 12th century and providing a strategic vantage point from which to protect the bay and the town. The castle has changed hands between the Spanish, the French, and the English several times over the years, starting with its capture by the French in 1719.
Exiting the other side of Old Town, we start up the hill and get a great perspective of the town from above and of the district of Gros on the other side, with a great surfing beach.
On top, we walk through the castle and fortifications and enjoy the great views from the top of the fortress.
The summit is crowned by the Castillo de la Mota fortress, built in the 12th century. In the fortress is a great small museum, Casa de la Historia de Urgull, with models, displays, and audiovisual presentations depicting the over-800-year history of the Donostian people. From the top of the fortress, we access the base of the Cristo de la Mota statue overlooking the city, 12 meters (39 feet) high and visible from four miles (6.4 km) at sea.
Cristo de la Mota, overlooking the city
Descending further, we reach the Paseo Nuevo path around the point and walk back around to town, past more great views, statues, the aquarium, the naval museum, and old port buildings.
Streets of Old Town
Exiting the other side of Old Town, we start up the hill and get a great perspective of the town from above and of the district of Gros on the other side, with a great surfing beach.
Views of San Sebastian and the Bay of Biscay
Looking the other way toward the district of Gros
On top, we walk through the castle and fortifications and enjoy the great views from the top of the fortress.
Up the paths to the top
Cannons in place
More great views
The summit is crowned by the Castillo de la Mota fortress, built in the 12th century. In the fortress is a great small museum, Casa de la Historia de Urgull, with models, displays, and audiovisual presentations depicting the over-800-year history of the Donostian people. From the top of the fortress, we access the base of the Cristo de la Mota statue overlooking the city, 12 meters (39 feet) high and visible from four miles (6.4 km) at sea.
History of San Sebastian
Cristo de la Mota, overlooking the city
Descending from the fortress, we pass the English Cemetery, containing the bodies of English volunteers who fought for the Spanish government during the Spanish Civil War of 1833 to 1840 between the followers of Infante Carlos María Isidro of Borbón and the supporters of the Regent Queen María Cristina de Borbón.
English cemetery
Descending further, we reach the Paseo Nuevo path around the point and walk back around to town, past more great views, statues, the aquarium, the naval museum, and old port buildings.
Back around the base of Mount Urgull
Into the old port
Builidings of the old port
Fishing boats
Entrance into Old Town from the port
Our trek over and around Mount Urgull covered the northern part of the Bay of Biscay. Now, time for the southern side.
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