San Sebastián: Castillo de la Mota 🏰 🇪🇸

Castillo de la Mota: the hilltop, medieval fortress of San Sebastián San Sebastián was initially a settlement and was founded as a city by King Sancho VI (the Wise) of Navarre in 1180 in order to control the direct access to the sea from the peninsula. The settlement was tucked at the foot of Monte Urguell which acted as a natural barrier from the blustery northern winds and tumultuous sea. However, the city needed protection from foreign attacks so, in 1194, King Sancho VII (the Strong) of Navarre ordered the construction of a protective wall around the city and a fortress at the top of Mount Urguell. The city lived a few centuries of relative peace before it was besieged by Franco-Portuguese troops in 1476. The fortress played a key role in providing shelter to city inhabitants during the assault. Afterwards, the Catholic Kings ordered the building to be further fortified. In the 16th century Carlos V ordered several additional reforms during, including the construction of a keep, a fortified barbican and gallows. He also ordered that all the trees be cut down to thwart attacks from foreign troops. Joris Hoefnagel’s 16th-century engraving provides an excellent idea of what the city and the fortress looked like during that period. In 1575, lightning struck a powder keg and almost burnt down the entire building to the ground. When it was rebuilt, the original architecture was maintained. In the 17th century, the engineer Tiburcio Spanochi was commissioned to further fortify the stronghold after it was struck by lightning (again). Its impregnable design was put to the test when the Duke of Berwick shelled the fortress incessantly for two weeks until he finally gave up. The fortress was also the object of several attacks and sieges during the Spanish War of Independence (1808-1814) and the Carlist Wars but emerged unscathed, ready to stand guard and protect the inhabitants of San Sebastián.