Habsburg and Bourbon Spain

San Sebastián

Today: Spain

Years: 1492–1833
Role: Fortress town and capital of Guipúzcoa

After the fire of January 1489, which led to the town being rebuilt in stone, it changed from a trading emporium into a military stronghold and endured many sieges; Felipe IV granted it the title of city in 1662. On 31 August 1813 the allied troops stormed and burned it, and only the two parish churches and thirty-five houses on calle Trinidad, now 31 de Agosto, were spared. It was rebuilt on a plan approved in 1816, and in 1833 it became the capital of the province of Guipúzcoa.

What to see today

Basílica de Santa María del Coro (Santa María del Coro): Church, 1743 to 1774
Plaza de la Constitución (Plaza Nueva): Square, 1817
Iglesia de San Vicente Mártir (San Vicente): Church, 1507 to 1574
Museo San Telmo (Convento de San Telmo): Monastery, 1544 to 1562

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