Donostia

From Freepedia

For the Philippine municipality named San Sebastian, see San Sebastian, Samar.

See also San Sebastián, Venezuela.

Image:Donostia (San Sebastian), Spain location.png

Image:San Sebastian.jpg Image:San Sebastián1.jpg Donostia (in Basque) or San Sebastián (in Spanish) is the capital city of the province of Guipuzcoa, in the Spanish autonomous community of the 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.

1 History
2 Landmarks
3 Recreation
4 Culture
5 External Links

History

c. 1174--Donostia is awarded status as fuero by King Sancho VI of Navarre.

1200--The city is conquered by Castille, whose king Alphonse VIII, confirms its fuero.

1728--The foundation of the "Real Compañía Guipuzcoana de Caracas" boosts commerce with the Americas.

1808--Napoleonic forces capture San Sebastian.

1813--British and Portuguese troops siege San Sebastian and eventually defeat French occupying troops. After being welcome by the inhabitants, newcomers burn the city down.

1813--The city is rebuilt in the same spot.

1863--City walls demolished; expansion of city begins.

1937--Province falls to fascist forces in Civil War.

Landmarks

Igeldo Mountain
Urgull Mountain
San Telmo Museum
Miramar Palace
Kursaal Palace
Santa Clara Island
Peine del Viento by local sculptor, Eduardo Chillida

Recreation

San Sebastián/Donostia is the home city of the Primera División football club Real Sociedad.

Culture

Image:San Sebastián Tamborrada.jpg Every year on 20 January (the feast of Saint Sebastian) the people of San Sebastián celebrate a festival known as the Tamborrada. At midnight in the Konstituzio 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 Semana Grande or Aste Nagusia 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 Basque cuisine and pintxos (tapas) and restaurant district near the port.

The most important Spanish International Film Festival is held in San Sebastián, the Donostia-San Sebastian International Film Festival