Fuenterrabía

Fuenterrabia

Fuenterrabia

Municipality in Basque Country, Spain


Fuenterrabia[2] (Basque: Hondarribia; Spanish: Fuenterrabía; French: Fontarrabie) is a town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, in Basque Country, Spain.

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Fuenterrabia's fishermen's quarter

The border town is situated on a little promontory facing Hendaye (France) over the Txingudi bay. A service boat makes the trip between the two cities. The town holds an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle. In addition, Fuenterrabia features a beach across the Bidasoa from the touristy housing estate Sokoburu in Hendaye, alongside a mountain called Jaizkibel providing a hilly backdrop to the town. A road leads north-east from the beach area to the Cape Higuer, located in this municipality.

The town harbours the San Sebastian Airport, which serves domestic flights. The population as of 2005 is 15,700 inhabitants.

Battles

The battles fought for possession of this fortified stronghold are generally known by the Spanish name for the place (Fuenterrabía).

Although Milton, in Paradise Lost associated the rout of Charlemagne in 778 with Fontarabia, it is generally understood to have taken place at Roncesvalles.[3]

Sports

The women's basketball team Hondarribia-Irun and the rowing club Hondarribia Arraun Elkartea are the two most prestigious sports clubs in the town. In the last decade, the judo club Ama Guadalupekoa has had a lot of national medals in this discipline.

The Hondarribia-Irun plays in the Spanish women's basketball league since 2003, and it has competed against European teams several times. Fuenterrabia has a rowing team called Hondarribia Arraun Elkartea, and its boat is characterized by its green color and its name, "Ama Guadalupekoa". In 2005 it won "La Bandera de la Concha", one of the most prestigious competitions for Basque rowers.

Furthermore, the Vilariño family, which is fully linked to the world of the engine, continues to achieve success at national and European levels.

Fuenterrabia has its own golf course where Jose Maria Olazabal, one of the best golf players in the world, was raised, and marina, where the Olympic medalist Iker Martinez took his first boat roads.[clarification needed]

Leisure

Center of interpretation of the walls of Fuenterrabia (Arma Plaza Fundazioa).
  • The construction of a jetty and other ancillary works by the engineer Iribarren, created the beach (hondartza) of Fuenterrabia that provides a place to enjoy the waters of the bay. In the late twentieth century the beach was partially modified, building on its surroundings a recreational port and a sports center.
  • Throughout the year, but especially in the summer months, Arma Plaza Fundazioa (municipal foundation) organizes guided visits to the old town, the port-quarter of the Marina and the Fort of Guadalupe.
  • The tourist office also managed by Arma Plaza Fundazioa, located in the Plaza de Armas, incorporates an interpretation center with spaces for audiovisual presentations / temporary exhibitions and souvenirs of the city.

Notable residents

  • Juan de Alcega (16th century), mathematician and tailor known by his book on geometrical tailoring.
  • Jorge Bolet, legendary American-Cuban pianist
  • José María Olazábal famous Spanish golfer, winner of two U.S. Masters titles and regular member of the European Ryder Cup team.
  • Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa, winner of Europa League and the former manager of Villareal, Arsenal, Paris Saint Germain, Sevilla FC, Valencia CF and Spartak Moscow.
  • Íñigo Cervantes, professional tennis player
  • Itziar Mendizabal, ballet dancer
  • Ander Vilariño, racing driver

Old paintings

Climate

More information Climate data for San Sebastián Airport, Month ...

References

  1. Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. Traditional name in English. See Books Ngram Viewer.
  3. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fuenterrabia" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 11 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 286.

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