Aula· Spain, city by cityPaís Vasco
Hondarribia
«Hondarribia destaca por su casco histórico amurallado.»Hondarribia stands out for its walled historic centre.
Hondarribia is located at the mouth of the Bidasoa, on the border with France, opposite Hendaye. The upper town is enclosed by walls and dominated by the castle reinforced by Charles V, while below, the fishing quarter features houses painted with leftover boat paint.
Did you know
Charles V slept in this castle.
The castle that dominates the historic centre was the residence of Emperor Charles V during his stays in the border area.
How they talk in Hondarribia
«Hondarribia» is the official Basque name and «hondarribiarra» is the demonym. «Muga» means border and is a concrete word because France is visible from the other bank of the Bidasoa.
agur
Greeting used to take leave and, depending on the context, also to say hello. Short greeting formula in Basque, very recognizable in the daily life of the Basque Country.
Everyday life in Hondarribia
The colourful «Marina» of the fishermen
The lower quarter has half-timbered houses with wooden balconies painted red and green, all attached: it is where people eat, and the bars occupy the ground floor of houses that are still inhabited.
«Los balcones son de madera pintada.» — The balconies are made of painted wood.
The «Alarde» of 8 September
The parade with rifles commemorates the 1638 siege, and the town has been divided for years over the right of women to march: there are two processions, and the wound is still fresh.
France on the other side of the bay
Hendaye can be seen from the beach and you can get there by boat in five minutes: there is a small boat that shuttles all day, and you take it to go for lunch.
«Cogemos la barca a Hendaya.» — We are taking the boat to Hendaye.
What to eat in Hondarribia
Txangurro
Spider crab shelled and cooked with onion, tomato and brandy, put back inside the carapace.
Txipirones en su tinta
Small squid cooked in their own ink with onion, served with white rice.
Tarta de queso vasca
Cheesecake baked in a very hot oven: burnt on top and liquid inside.
Festivals in Hondarribia
Alarde de Hondarribia
8 September
The companies parade with rifles for a vow made during the 1638 siege, and the town has been divided for years over the right of women to march.
What to see in Hondarribia
Casco amurallado
The upper town enclosed by walls, with stone houses and coats of arms above the portals.
Castillo de Carlos V
The medieval castle reinforced by Charles V, now a hotel, with walls three metres thick.
Barrio de la Marina
The fishermen's houses, painted in bold colours with green and red wooden balconies.
Iglesia de Santa María
The Gothic church where the marriage of Louis XIV was celebrated by proxy in 1660.
Where Hondarribia comes from
A walled city on the border
1203
The fuero
Alfonso VIII grants it the fuero: it is born as a stronghold at the mouth of the Bidasoa.
16th century
The castle
Charles V has the castle and walls reinforced: the city watches France from up close.
1638
The great siege
It resists the French siege for two months, and has commemorated it every September since.
20th century → today
The port and the beach
Fishing and then tourism change the quarter by the sea.
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