History

King Sancho el Mayor of Navarra is said to have founded the city of San Sebastian around 1180. The city's unique geographical location with a port, made it an ideal military stronghold. To fortify itself Mount Urgull was converted into a castle armed with artillery to defend the region. This is one of the reasons why the region has seen several wars and experienced many sieges during the 15th and 16th centuries.

In 1721, San Sebastian saw a battle between the English and French. After occupying the region for three years the French were defeated and finally withdrew after the signing a peace treaty. 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, with great will power set out to rebuild the city. The city got more attention when Queen Isabel II first visited the city in 1845 and the city began to grow. With street lighting, telephones, water and other infra structural facilities being developed, the city expanded and attracted visitors from all over the world. Although the 19th century saw more Carlist wars, San Sebastian still prospered. 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 the most cosmopolitan city in Europe.

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