Paris1972-Versailles2003

I bring you again to a wonderful city of my dear Spain, I by pass the City many times on my route between France and Spain since 1992. It has been as the old saying said, the beginning of a beautiful friendship of San Sebastian, The choices are endless and very nice spots as we walked all over once in town, I ,again, found me pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, here is my take again on curiosities of San Sebastiàn, part II !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I

The City of San Sebastian or Donostia is located just 20 km from the border with France, offered us a complete change of scenery with architecture, gastronomy and an atmosphere. The richness and beauty of its architecture appealed to me. The casco viejo or old town is the oldest part, although it only dates back to 1813. It is the historic heart of the city. By the Portu Kalea or port street you see the Portaleta once one of the main entrances in the walls of San Sebastian . In the days of 1863 ,it is referred to as the Puerta del Mar or Gate of the Sea . The other main entrance to the Casco Viejo or Old Town was the Puerta de la Tierra or Land Gate , which was located on the current    Alameda del Boulevard street, This gate had three entrances. The wall facing the bay was completely closed, in order to cut off any attack by troops. The smallest gate faced the customs offices and the agents working in the port, another, the largest, faced the port, and the third is the one that connected the complex with Calle del Puerto ,and the interior of the city. At the top there was a building with gabled roofs where the guardhouse was located. Today it is a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the port or, following the wall, accessing the Paseo de los Curas on the slopes of Mount Urgul.

In 1856, it was renovated to make it more monumental and spacious. This renovation was carried out in the context of the project to enlarge the quay. the new design of the puerta or door, is in the neoclassical look that was fashionable at the time. Seen from the sea, it took the form of a five-sided polygon covered with roofs. From the city center, however, it looked like an Arc de Triomphe. Today, the arched central opening is closed by an iron fence with the city’s initials; while the side ones are smaller passages, made for pedestrians. In 1921,it was renovated again, and transformed its roof into a wide terrace that can be passed through, connecting it to the passage above the wall. They took the opportunity to install a barometer (which was stolen in the 1970s) that was very useful for fishermen , inserting it into a concrete frontispiece with volutes on the sides. This decoration was later removed, and in 1967 an inscription was placed in honor of the energetic fishermen. In those years it was still a meeting place for fishermen. Traditionally, every year on May 22, the image of Santa Rita and Santa Kiteria found in the sea is placed here.

As a nostalgic anecdote on this street Portu Kalea or Calle del Puerto or Port street,  we were stepping into San Sebastian’s culinary history! This is the restaurant Juanito Kojua with great memories with the family. at Portu kalea 14, you will find the emblematic Juanito Kojua, In its menu, you can find a wide variety of game products, as well as spoon dishes, fish and homemade delicacies. Taste the best of Donostiarra cuisine in Juanito Kojua. Opened since 1947 ,specializing in traditional Basque cuisine.Simply awesome !! The official Juanito Kojua restaurant:  https://grupogarrancho.com/es/carta/juanito-kojua/

The Boulevard Kiosk or Bulebar Kiosk is located on the Boulevard in San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa. It is in Art Nouveau style, with cast iron columns and a French shape. Although many believe that it was built by the French engineer Gustave Eiffel, it is the work of the Zaragoza architect Ricardo Magdalena in 1906. The Boulevard is the promenade that separates the Old Town from the romantic area, an area that was created after the demolition of the city wall and that has been transformed into a pedestrian space full of life. The Centro streets are a blend of a rich architectural heritage with iconic places and areas to stroll. The Boulevard connects the Parte Vieja (old town) with this neighbourhood, which is also a mecca for shopping, with streets such as Urbieta, Getaria and Fuenterrabía lined with local boutiques and international brands.

Just at the end of Calle Mayor,(Kale Nagusia) at the foot of Mount Urgull and framed by two towers, you will find this wonderful church, gladly found me another picture in my cd rom vault to have in my blog for you and me. The Basilica Church Santa María del Coro (see post) is of  baroque work of the 18C,  the baroque facade of Churrigueresque hue, chaired by a sculpture of San Sebastián Martyr and the main altarpiece dedicated to the Virgen del Coro, patron Saint of the city. The church has a rectangular plan, with semicircular apse and secondary units. The nave is attached to the northern part, and the octagonal pillars reach a height of 15 meters to their capitals, the central vault being the largest with a height of more than 27 meters. Each September 8, the Virgen del Coro is lowered it from her altar to preside the major Mass from a pedestal facing the sea.

The San Sebastian tourist office on the Casco Viejo or old town : https://www.sansebastianturismoa.eus/en/to-do/district-by-district/centre-old-town

There you go folks, wonderful spots in this beautiful City of San Sebastian aka Donostia, that I would love to visit again, eventually, Memories of my dearSpain ! Again, hope you enjoy the post on the curiosities of San Sebastian, part II !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!