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Town history |
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San Sebastian --the place that is considered as one of the perfect summer getaway of Spain has a rich history amidst its attractive sights and friendly people.
It was King Sancho el Mayor of Navarra who founded the city of San Sebastian around 1180. It had a unique geographical location, serving as a port, and hence it also made it an ideal military stronghold. For fortification the mountain known as Mount Urgull was converted into a castle with artillery as a defense outpost for the region. This holds true to the fact why the region has engaged into numerous wars and sieges during the 15th and 16th centuries.
1721 was the year when San Sebastian had a battle between the English and French. The region fell under foreign hands for three years. In 1808 Napoleon's troops again occupied the walled city, which was reduced to ashes after an intense battle with Anglo-Portuguese troops.
The survivors, equipped with will power, set out to rebuild the city. When Queen Isabel II first visited the city in 1845, it somehow brought up the fame of the place and the city began to grow ever since. With proper facilities like street lighting, telephones, water and other infrastructural innovations, the city expanded and attracted visitors from all over the world.
In 1863, San Sebastian was named capital of the Gipuzkoa province. The role of the city changed, the walls were demolished, the focus was more on commerce, the city became a popular tourist destination and spa resort, the economy boomed and San Sebastian became one of the most cosmopolitan city in Europe.
Today San Sebastian is one of the most important destinations in Spain, reason why many students and tourist choose San Sebastian for vacations and ending school trips, as we saud in spanish "viajes de fin de curso"
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 San Sebastian Travel Community |
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| Other Relevant Travel Guides |
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