Hondarribia 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 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, Hondarribia features a beach across the Bidasoa from the touristy housing estateSokoburu 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.
Siege of Fuenterrabía 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. 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, 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.
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. Hondarribia 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. Hondarribia 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
The construction of a jetty and other ancillary works by the engineer Iribarren, created the beach of Hondarribia 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 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, mathematician and tailor known by his book on geometrical tailoring.
Josune Amunarriz, prominent female avant-garde artist whose large-scale installations can be seen in San Sebastián, China, and New York.
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.
