Start: Santa Maria GateFinish: San Nicolás Gate

Already important in Roman times, Hondarribia was the Kingdom of Navarre's access to the sea and in the beginning of the 13th Century became Castile's jurisdiction, being the second village in Gipuzkoa to receive its Fuero (local law code). From the very beginning it was a very important military stronghold due to its strategic location and it was strongly fortified due to the frequent sieges it underwent.

Moreover, although its walls suffered much damage in several war events, great part of Hondarribia's defensive system remains upright. Turning to the right in the roundabout marking the access to the village centre, we will get to Santa María Gate, located at the foot of the wall (San Juan de Dios Square), where we can start our walk.

The gate called Puerta de Santa María one of the three gates the village had in the past- is nowadays the main access to the walled enclosure. It will take us directly to the most monumental street, Calle Mayor, marked out by palace-style houses built in narrow lots where, among other elements, some magnificent balconies of wrought iron stand out.

The street, with singular buildings such as the Town Hall or the parish church, leads to the Plaza de Armas Square, dominated by the impressive Carlos V Castle, an extremely sober and solid building that contrasts with the colourful houses surrounding this wide square. Nearby we'll find the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y del Manzano, built in the 15th Century and with great architectural value.

From the Armas Square San Nicolás Street goes round the Old Quarter until it gets to the wall again. In addition, at the end of this street and once left to the right the curious Plaza de Gipuzkoa square we can observe the remains of San Nicolás Gate. In the 15-16th centuries this door was the village's main entrance. Originally a chapel, a tower, two doors and two bridges (one that could be raised and lowered and the other fixed) to cross over the moat formed the compound.

Stage : Santa Maria Gate-San Nicolás Gate