San Sebastian – Summer Capital of Spain
San Sebastian (Span. San Sebastian) – Spanish city located in a picturesque location on the shores of the Biscay Bay in the northeast of the Basque Country. Not far from him passes the border of France. If earlier in his place was a small fishing village, now a fashionable resort is here. San Sebastian is called Pearl of Spain, he is considered her summer capital.
On the one hand, the city is surrounded by mountains, and on the other hand, there are amazing beaches and a beautiful bay. However, San Sebastian is famous not only by the beaches, but also with its historical sights. And tourists attracts excellent local cuisine. After all, it is in this city that there are restaurants marked by three stars Michelin.
The first mention of San Sebastian refers to the XI century. Then the monastery of the monastery was founded in his place. In the XII century, Gasons move here. Gradually, it becomes not only the center of spiritual life, but also trade. A port appears here, merchants lead active trade. In the XIII century, a naval base is built in San Sebastian.
The city had to survive numerous fires and war. In 1489, he burned down to the alert, after this event of the house in it began to build only stone. The trading activity is gradually falling into a decline, San Sebastian becomes a naval stronghold of Spain: protect protective structures, pave roads. Later the city was drawn into a thirty-year-old war.
Wedding Spanish Infanta Mary -Teresia and French king Louis Xiv helped to end the war world. San Sebastian moves the residence of Mary Terezia. Following the infanta to the city arrives numerous to know. Trade comes to life in the city. In the XVII-XIX centuries, he again falls into the epicenter of wars and revolutions. Only in the middle of the XIX century San Sebastian begins to recover.
Queen Isabella II for the summer transfers his residence here. Stormy construction is unfolding: the old walls are demolished, they pave tram paths, electricity is carried out. But a peaceful life lasted for a long time, war and revolution began again. Only in the seventies of the 20th century began restructuring, the city healed a peaceful life, tourism began to actively develop.
Despite the fact that San Sebastian has repeatedly burned completely, many of his architectural attractions are in good condition: the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Mary-Christina Bridge, Congress Palace and Audience Kursal, Palace Miramar, Government Building San Sebastian.
The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd is located in the center of Amara. It is the largest temple not only the city, but also the entire province of Hypuscane. Designed his manuel echawa. Built it nine years since 1888. The opening of the cathedral took place on July 30, 1897.
In 1950, the temple receives the status of the Cathedral. This is a very beautiful building built in neo-style style. Decorate the temple of the stained glass windows of Juan Bautists Lasaro, the sculptural image of a kind shepherd, neo-neotic retabilo. Impressive organ, weighing thirty tons. Today the temple is valid.
Palace "Miramar" is located on the Miraconian Boulevard. It was built in English style in 1893. Created his architect Salden Warnum. Since the middle of the XIX century, the royal family rested here. The palace is a three-story building, the facade of which decorate the elements of a neo-neutic style. In 1972, he was redeemed by the state. Now tourists can freely visit the palace and admire its interiors. Today it contains the office of the Higher Music Center, often arrange holidays and concerts, and the University of Basque Country Courses spends its summer courses.
Mary Cristina Bridge – one of the most magnificent bridges on the Iberian Peninsula, he shifted through the Urumaa River. At first it was wooden, but in 1905 it was built from reinforced concrete. Its length is 80 meters, width – 20 meters. It has three arched spans and decorated with gilded sculptures.
The Palace of Congresses and the audience "Kursal" is located on Surriola Avenue. Opened it in 1999. Consists of a palace of two large buildings. They are in the form of prisms and are located on one platform. Every year there are up to 300 different events in the palace. The big hall is designed for 1800 seats. It can be transformed. Hall of assembly accommodates 600 people. The complex of the palace includes a restaurant, parking, shops. It is a representative office of San Sebastian Film Festival.
Another interesting building of the city is the city hall building – a solid palace. It is located on the embankment of the bay of La Cum. Previously, there was a large casino in it, which was considered one of the most beautiful ignorative institutions in Europe. Built it in 1887 in the style of non-herenissance. Casino was closed in 1924, and his building was rebuilt under the mayor.
Very love to walk in San Sebastian. Tourists walk through His Park "Christina-Eni", which is one of the largest in Spain. It was created on the initiative of Fermina de Lasala. In honor of his spouse Christina Park and got its name. Today it contains the center of environmental resources, a pedestrian bridge was recently built.
An amazing place in the city is the Bay de la Cum. He resembles a sink. On his shores there are two Beach Ondarreth and De La Cum. Their length is two kilometers. The sea here is almost always calm, but there are strong fits and riding. Along the bay there is a very beautiful embankment, one of the most famous in Spain.
In the center of the Bay de la Cum is the island of Saint Clara. It has a berth, a small beach equipped with everything necessary. Every half an hour, ships sailed here with tourists. Preserved on the island an ancient lighthouse. And once here brought patients with plague.
San Sebastian – Paradise for connoisseurs of exquisite cuisine, gourmets around the world seek to get into this city. After all, it is here that there are three restaurants noted by the stars of Michelin, and the cooks known worldwide work. Restaurants serves seafood, traditional Mediterranean cuisine and colorful Basque coffee dishes.
