Urgull in the background
Stairs to the Mota Castle.

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

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

The hill (as well as the city) was a hotspot for military operations, like the ones of 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 rooms of the stronghold at the hill top accommodate a small history museum, part of the major San Telmo Museoa located at the south-eastern access of the hill.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "What is there to see at Monte Urgull? A scenic walk with some of the best views of San Sebastián - San Sebastian Tourism". www.sansebastianturismoa.eus. 2018-01-17. Retrieved 2023-06-11.

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

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