Urgull

Urgull (Gascon etymology for 'pride') is a hill by the ocean within the Basque city of San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Spain. The hill, rising to a height of 123 meters at its peak, shapes the city's coastline relief along with Mount Ulia and Igeldo. Urgull stands at the northern end of a peninsula between the river Urumea and the Bay of La Concha (nowadays the city centre), and was formerly linked to the mainland by sand.

The hill became a defense point during the 12th century. The walls and the military structure were reinforced after the modern state boundaries took shape in the 16th century. The hill is topped by Mota Castle, a stronghold with headquarters, barracks, warehouses, a chapel and a 12 metre-long sculpture of Jesus Christ, which was added in 1950.

The hill played a significant role in military operations related to the city, for instance, the Siege of San Sebastián (1813) and the assaults of 1823, 1836 and 1876 (Carlist Wars). The hill lost its military interest on account of the city's newly acquired tourist resort status and was sold to the city council in 1924. Urgull is nowadays a tree-covered hill for the most part, with military structures and promenades over the bay and the city. The stronghold at the hill top accommodates a small history museum, which is part of the San Telmo Museoa located at the south-eastern access of the hill.^[1]

See also

• Mont Orgueil – Castle in Jersey

References

External links

• San Sebastián, Monte Urgull (planetware)

43°19′29″N 1°59′20″W / 43.32472°N 1.98889°W / 43.32472; -1.98889

This page was last edited on 6 March 2024, at 04:01