San Sebastián

San Sebastián, a fortress and seaport in the north of Spain, 402 miles by rail NNE. of Madrid, and 11 miles from the French frontier. It is built on a peninsula, stretching from the base of a conical hill, Orgullo (400 feet), which is crowned with a castle strong enough to be called the Gibraltar of the north of Spain. Since its almost total destruction by the British, when they stormed it under Wellington during the Peninsular war, the town has been rebuilt on a regular plan. On the west is a magnificent roadstead, well protected, but difficult of access. It is bordered by a beautiful shore, which, on account of its suitability as a watering-place, attracts many summer visitors, especially from Madrid. Most of the loading and unloading is done at the more easily accessible harbour of Pasages, 2½ miles to the E. The two ports are entered every year by some 1000 vessels of 380,000 tons burden, bringing principally coal, metals, fish, spirits, and yarn, to the average value of £672,000. The exports consist chiefly of wine, minerals, textiles, and matches, and average £1,140,000 in annual value. San Sebastian has suffered from numerous sieges in the wars between France and Spain. Pop. (1887) 29,047.