Urgull facts for kids
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Urgull is a famous hill located right by the ocean in the city of San Sebastián, which is in the Basque Country region of Spain. The name 'Urgull' comes from an old language called Gascon, and it means 'pride'.
This hill is 123 meters (about 400 feet) tall at its highest point. It helps shape the coastline of San Sebastián, along with two other hills called Mount Ulia and Igeldo. Urgull stands at the northern end of what used to be a sandy strip of land. This strip connected the hill to the main land, between the Urumea river and the beautiful Bay of La Concha. Today, this area is a busy part of the city center.
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History of Urgull Hill
Urgull has been an important defense spot for a very long time.
Early Defenses
When San Sebastián was first founded in the 12th century, Urgull hill quickly became a place to protect the city. Over the years, especially after countries started having clear borders in the 16th century, the walls and military buildings on the hill were made even stronger.
The Mota Castle
At the very top of Urgull hill, there is a strong fortress called the Mota Castle. This castle used to be a headquarters for soldiers, with barracks where they lived and warehouses to store supplies. In 1950, a chapel was added to the hill, along with a large 12-meter (about 39-foot) tall statue of Jesus Christ. This statue now stands tall and can be seen looking over the bay.
Urgull in Wars
The hill, and the city of San Sebastián itself, were often involved in military battles. For example, during the Siege of San Sebastián in 1813, there were many important military actions here. The hill also saw fighting in 1823, 1836, and 1876 during the Carlist Wars.
From Military Base to Tourist Spot
Eventually, Urgull hill became less important for military defense. This happened because San Sebastián started to become a popular place for tourists to visit. In 1924, the hill was sold to the city council.
Urgull Today
Today, Urgull hill is mostly covered in trees. You can still see interesting old military buildings that remind us of its past. There are also lovely walking paths that offer amazing views of the bay and the city.
Urgull Museum
Inside the old fortress buildings at the top of the hill, there is a small history museum. This museum is part of a bigger museum called San Telmo Museoa, which is located near the entrance to the hill on the southeastern side. It's a great place to learn more about the history of Urgull and San Sebastián.
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