The grid of narrow streets rebuilt after the fire of 1813, now the city's pintxo quarter.
The Parte Vieja is the rebuilt heart of San Sebastian. During the Peninsular War, Anglo-Portuguese forces besieged the French garrison, and on 31 August 1813 they stormed the walls and the town burned, leaving only a few buildings standing. Residents returned and rebuilt on the same plan with regular streets, uniform heights and the arcaded Plaza de la Constitucion. Calle 31 de Agosto, the street that runs from the Santa Maria basilica to the old town gate, is named after the date, and the city holds a solemn commemoration each year on 31 August. Sources report that hundreds of civilians died, with figures varying between about 500 and more than 1,000. Today the quarter is pedestrian and filled with pintxo bars, shops and churches. Few pre-1813 buildings survive, among them parts of the Santa Maria church site and the San Telmo convent. The best way to understand the district's history is to walk the streets, read the plaques and visit the Casa de la Historia de Urgull on the hill above, which explains the siege.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Streets open at all times; no ticket needed |
| Address | Calle 31 de Agosto, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain |
Why it matters
Almost the whole medieval town was destroyed in the fire that followed the Allied assault on 31 August 1813; the present street grid dates from the rebuilding that followed, and the main street carries the date as its name.
Location
Calle 31 de Agosto, 20003 Donostia / San Sebastian, Gipuzkoa, Spain
43.3235, -1.9835 View on map
Highlights
- Streets named after the 31 August fire
- Plaza de la Constitucion
- Annual 31 August commemoration
- Surviving San Telmo convent nearby
Tips for visiting
- Walk Calle 31 de Agosto from the basilica to the Boulevard.
- Visit the Casa de la Historia on Monte Urgull for the siege story.
- Expect commemorations on 31 August.
- Pair with a pintxo evening.
- Look for plaques on building walls.
When to visit
Morning for history, evening for bars.
Accessibility
Flat but cobbled streets; narrow doors at many bars.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Why is the main street called 31 de Agosto?
It commemorates the date in 1813 when the town burned during the Allied assault.
Did anything survive the fire?
Very little of the medieval town survived; the street plan and a few buildings such as the San Telmo convent remain.
Is the district free to visit?
Yes, it is open at all times.