Mount Ulia facts for kids
Mount Ulia is a beautiful hill located just east of San Sebastian in the Basque Country, Spain. It reaches 243 meters (about 797 feet) at its highest point. This hill stretches along the coastline and ends near the bay of Pasaia. Mount Ulia looks over San Sebastian to the west, with the famous Zurriola beach and the Gros area right at its base. Because of its amazing views and location, Mount Ulia became a very popular spot for fun and relaxation in the early 1900s. It's still a favorite place today, even with new buildings around it.
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A Look Back in Time
In 1530, Mount Ulia was known as Mirall. This was a name from the Gascon people. It came from a special rock at the top of the hill. This rock was used as a lookout point for whales. When the hill was closer to the Zurriola beach, it was called Uliamendi.
Whale Watching History
Long ago, people used the lookout rock on Ulia to watch for whales. These whales would swim past the Basque coast on their long journeys. When watchers saw whales, they would light a big bonfire. This signal told the whalers in Donostia (San Sebastian) that whales were nearby. Sadly, these whales no longer pass through this area.
A Fort on the Coast
After 1898, the part of the hill closest to the sea, called Monpas, became very important for defense. It was turned into a strong fort. This fort had secret tunnels, military buildings, and big guns. It was ready to protect the coast from any attack coming from the ocean.
The Park of Nurseries of Ulia
At the start of the road leading up Mount Ulia from Donostia is a special place called The Park of Nurseries of Ulia. It got its name because it used to be a plant nursery. For almost all of the 20th century, until 2008, this park grew plants for all the public gardens in San Sebastian.
Why the Park is Special
The Park of Nurseries of Ulia is very important for several reasons:
- It has two very old water tanks.
- It features interesting old buildings and structures.
- It is home to many different kinds of plants and animals.
See also
In Spanish: Monte Ulía para niños
