Motako Gaztelua — Attraction in San Sebastián

Castillo de la Mota – Urgull Mountain, San Sebastián was originally built in the 12th century as a defensive fortress for San Sebastián. Over the centuries, it was expanded and reinforced, particularly in the 16th and 18th centuries, as San Sebastián became a key strategic location on the northern coast of Spain. The castle played an essential role in protecting the city from pirate raids and military sieges, including battles between Spain, France, and England. One of the most significant events in its history was the 1813 siege, when British and Portuguese forces, fighting against the French during the Napoleonic Wars, heavily bombarded San Sebastián. The city was devastated, but the castle remained standing. Architecture and Structure: • Built with thick stone walls and a strategic hilltop position, making it difficult to attack. • It features ramparts, watchtowers, and bastions, providing panoramic views of the sea and city. • A network of underground tunnels and storage areas was used to house supplies and troops. • The main entrance is reached by steep stone paths that wind up Urgull Mountain.

The Museum Inside the Castle: Today, the castle houses a small history museum, displaying exhibits about the history of San Sebastián, including its military past, sieges, and cultural development. The museum is part of the Casa de la Historia (House of History). Visiting the Castle • Open to the public with free access to the grounds. • Offers stunning panoramic views of San Sebastián, La Concha Bay, and the surrounding coastline. • It is easy to get to the castle, the road is not tiring. It takes about 20 minutes of moderate walking. In several places there are stairs that shorten the distance. There are several paths...

I was here just chilling with my british, portuguese and french bros, but then we had to go back home because we couldn't afford keep staying in the castle. But wierdly enough the locals became aggressive all of a sudden. Their skin became grey and their eyes red and they started chasing us. We started escaping the castle, and we found some friendly locals that wanted to escape too. Unfortunately one of the old guards was pinned down by a runner, there WAS a fifer next to him, but, you know, he is not a bugler, he is trying to get stop that useless noise badge, somehow he still wasn't able to get it. The fifer got pinned by the same runner that had killed the old guard, but there bugler saved him. The fifer became mad and started becoming toxic, because nobody killed the runner before he got to him. The fifer didn't get bit or hurt by the runner, but he didn't want to start doing the achievement again, even though he lost just 10 seconds of his time, and he rage quit life and decided to melee a bomber killing 2 of our 3 sappers. What a genius. It was a long adventure, and we almost got overwhelmed by the locals, but fortunately a charming british man called "Barry" helped us escape in a ship. I think he died... what a shame. It was a very fun and intresting adventure, but since the locals were not vey kind and there was a little drama i have to give it 4 stars, but i highly reccomend it, but it is...

Some historical info:

1476: Siege by French and Portuguese troops. They were unable to capture the city due to the strong local resistance. As a result, the Catholic Monarchs ordered the reinforcement of the castle's walls and the fortification of the city.

1512: Siege by the Duke of Bourbon (French). With 15,400 men, he attempted to besiege the city. The attackers retreated without success.

1719: Siege during the War of Spanish Succession. The Duke of Berwick, commanding the French army, besieged Donostia. Despite the bombardment, the fortress withstood for over two weeks. Only a fire inside the arsenal could make defenders surrender.

1808-1813: The War of Independence. Occupied by French forces but defeated by the Anglo-Portuguese forces in 1813 (under the Duke of Wellington), who set the city on fire to drive out the French. There were over 1,800 prisoners.

19th Century: Used during the Carlist Wars.

This is why there is a cemetery called "Cemetery of the English."

Impressive defensive capacity...