Fuenterrabia
Municipality
Fuenterrabia as seen from Hendaye
Fuenterrabia as seen from Hendaye
Flag of Fuenterrabia
Flag
Coat of arms of Fuenterrabia
Coat of arms
Fuenterrabia is located in the Basque Country
Fuenterrabia
Fuenterrabia
Location of Fuenterrabia within the Basque Country
Fuenterrabia is located in Spain
Fuenterrabia
Fuenterrabia
Fuenterrabia (Spain)
Coordinates: 43°22′00″N 1°47′45″W / 43.36667°N 1.79583°W / 43.36667; -1.79583
CountrySpain
Autonomous community Basque Country
ProvinceGipuzkoa
EskualdeaBidasoaldea
FoundedApril 18, 1203 (1203-04-18)
Government
 • MayorTxomin Sagarzazu (EAJ-PNV)
Area
 • Total28.63 km2 (11.05 sq mi)
Elevation
16 m (52 ft)
Highest elevation
543 m (1,781 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total17,018
 • Density590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Basque: hondarribiar
Spanish: fuenterribense
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
20280
Official language(s)Basque, Spanish
WebsiteOfficial website
Fuenterrabia's fishermen's quarter

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.

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).

  • Unsuccessful attempts to seize Fuenterrabia were made by French troops in 1476 and 1503.[3]
  • Battle of Fuenterrabía (1521), in which Claude, Duke of Guise distinguished himself, was instigated by Guillaume Gouffier, seigneur de Bonnivet, in command of the army of Navarre; he occupied the stronghold after the renewal of hostilities. The city was finally reoccupied by Charles V's forces in 1524 after the first Siege of Fuenterrabía.
  • Siege of Fuenterrabía (1638) was the outcome of a siege by the invading forces of Louis XIII, led by Condé. 27,000 French soldiers besieged the city for two months, firing 16,000 shells into the walled city, leaving only 300 survivors, most of them women and children. The city was virtually destroyed, but nevertheless did not surrender.[4] The Spanish soldiers were successful, and the raising of the siege is celebrated annually on 8 September in a parade, known as Alarde.
  • Battle of Fuenterrabía (1719), during the War of the Quadruple Alliance, part of the campaign leading to the French Siege of San Sebastian
  • Battle of Fuenterrabía (1794), in which the French Revolutionary Army took the city by breaching the walls. After they took over the city, they blew up with the help of German engineers the section of wall facing France. The signing of the Peace of Basel took place before all the wall was destroyed.

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.

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

Climate data for San Sebastián Airport, Fuenterrabia (1981–2010 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3)		 28.6
(83.5)		 29.0
(84.2)		 32.4
(90.3)		 36.6
(97.9)		 39.8
(103.6)		 40.4
(104.7)		 40.0
(104.0)		 38.0
(100.4)		 33.4
(92.1)		 29.4
(84.9)		 26.0
(78.8)		 40.4
(104.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 13.1
(55.6)		 13.8
(56.8)		 16.1
(61.0)		 17.5
(63.5)		 20.7
(69.3)		 23.1
(73.6)		 25.1
(77.2)		 25.7
(78.3)		 24.0
(75.2)		 21.0
(69.8)		 16.2
(61.2)		 13.5
(56.3)		 19.2
(66.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 8.9
(48.0)		 9.4
(48.9)		 11.6
(52.9)		 13.0
(55.4)		 16.2
(61.2)		 19.0
(66.2)		 21.0
(69.8)		 21.5
(70.7)		 19.4
(66.9)		 16.4
(61.5)		 12.0
(53.6)		 9.6
(49.3)		 14.8
(58.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 4.7
(40.5)		 5.0
(41.0)		 7.0
(44.6)		 8.5
(47.3)		 11.8
(53.2)		 14.8
(58.6)		 16.9
(62.4)		 17.2
(63.0)		 14.7
(58.5)		 11.8
(53.2)		 7.8
(46.0)		 5.6
(42.1)		 10.5
(50.9)
Record low °C (°F) −12.0
(10.4)		 −13.0
(8.6)		 −5.2
(22.6)		 −1.2
(29.8)		 3.0
(37.4)		 5.3
(41.5)		 7.8
(46.0)		 8.4
(47.1)		 4.6
(40.3)		 0.8
(33.4)		 −5.8
(21.6)		 −8.4
(16.9)		 −13.0
(8.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 157
(6.2)		 135
(5.3)		 124
(4.9)		 156
(6.1)		 120
(4.7)		 95
(3.7)		 85
(3.3)		 117
(4.6)		 132
(5.2)		 167
(6.6)		 188
(7.4)		 174
(6.9)		 1,649
(64.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 13 12 12 14 12 10 9 10 10 12 13 12 138
Average snowy days 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Average relative humidity (%) 75 72 70 71 72 73 74 75 75 75 76 75 74
Mean monthly sunshine hours 88 108 141 159 182 188 198 197 170 134 96 81 1,750
Source: Agencia Estatal de Meteorología[5]

References

  1. ↑ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ↑ Traditional name in English. See Books Ngram Viewer.
  3. 1 2 Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Fuenterrabia" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 11 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 286.
  4. ↑ Tuwien.ac.at
  5. ↑ "VValores climatológicos normales. Fuenterrabia, Malkarroa". November 2015.
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