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San Sebastian (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.

table

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 besiege San Sebastian and eventually defeat French occupying troops. After being welcomed by the inhabitants, the relieving troops burnt down the city.

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.

Every year on 20 January (the feast of Saint Sebastian) the people of San Sebastián celebrate a festival known as the i. 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 i 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 i (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

DONOSTIA in the Bernardo Estornés Lasa - Auñamendi Encyclopedia (Euskomedia Fundazioa) Information available in Spanish