Hondarribia

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Typical houses in Hondarribia

Hondarribia ("sand ford" in Basque, also known by its Spanish adaptation Fuenterrabía or the French one, Fontarabie) is a town situated on the east shore of Bidasoa river's mouth, in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. The border town is sited on a little promontory facing Hendaia (Lapurdi, Northern Basque Country, under French rule) over the Txingudi bay. The town has an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle. Hondarribia also has a beach and a mountain called Jaizkibel. It holds the main airport in Gipuzkoa. Population 2005: 15700 inhabitants.

[edit] Battles

The battles fought for possession of this fortified stronghold are generally known by the Spanish name for the place (Fuenterrabia).

The battle of Hondarribia, 1521, in which Claude of Lorraine distinguished himself, was instigated by Guillaume Gouffier, seigneur de Bonnivet, in command of the army of Navarre; he occupied Hondarribia and was probably responsible for the renewal of hostilities resulting from its not being restored. The city was finally returned to Spain in 1524.

The battle of Hondarribia, 1638, was the outcome of a siege by the invading forces of Louis XIII, led by Condé. 27000 French soldiers besieged the city for two months, firing 16000 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 [1]. The Spanish soldiers were successful, and the raising of the siege is celebrated annually on September 8 in a fiesta, the Alarde.

In the battle of Hondarribia, 1792, French revolutionary forces took the city by breaching the walls. After they took over the city, they blew up the section of walling facing France, with the help of German engineers. A remainder of the walls escaped destruction thanks to the signing the Peace Treaty of Basilea.