Sculptures in San Sebastian

Beyond its gastronomy, beaches or festivals, San Sebastian is the perfect place for art lovers, as the city is an open space for culture, where public sculptures play a fundamental role in the urban landscape.

From historical monuments to contemporary works of art, the city invites visitors to enjoy a unique artistic experience under the open sky.

In this article we take a look at the most famous sculptures, as well as those that are not so famous, but which have also had a key impact on the identity of Donostia-San Sebastián.

Eduardo Chillida’s sculptures in San Sebastian

San Sebastian is deeply linked to the figure of Eduardo Chillida, one of the most important sculptors in contemporary art. Several of his works can be found in the city, and his artistic legacy is an integral part of San Sebastian’s identity.

The Wind Comb

Located on Ondarreta beach, El Peine del Viento (The Wind Comb) is undoubtedly Chillida’s most iconic sculpture in San Sebastian.

Inaugurated in 1977, this work, created in collaboration with the architect Luis Peña Gantxegi, consists of three pieces of steel that seem to emerge from the rocks.

The Wind Comb is not only an obligatory tourist attraction, but also symbolises the relationship between man and nature and time. The sculptures are struck by the waves, creating a unique visual and sound spectacle.

Homage to Fleming

Another of Chillida’s creations in Donosti is the Homage to Fleming, a lesser-known but equally significant sculpture. Located on the Paseo de La Concha, near the tunnel that leads to the Antiguo neighbourhood, this work is a tribute to the scientist Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin.

Chillida created this sculpture in 1990 to highlight the importance of scientific advances that improve the quality of life.

Chillida Leku Museum

If you are a lover of Eduardo Chillida’s work, you must visit the Chillida Leku Museum, located in Hernani, just a few minutes from San Sebastian.

In this open-air museum, Chillida’s sculptures blend perfectly into the natural landscape, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in his art in a unique way. It is the ideal place to delve into the work and thought of one of the most important artists of the 20th century.

Hondalea, by Cristina Iglesias

One of the most recent and outstanding contemporary sculptures in San Sebastian is Hondalea by Cristina Iglesias. This work is located on the island of Santa Clara and offers an immersive experience in which art and nature merge.

Hondalea represents a cliff and the bottom of the sea hit by waves, symbolising erosion and the force of the sea.

It is a work that invites reflection on ecology and the impact of nature.

The Dove of Peace, by Néstor Basterretxea

In the area of Sagues (Gros district), where Zurriola beach ends, we find La Paloma de la Paz (The Dove of Peace), a work by the sculptor Néstor Basterretxea.

Inaugurated in 1988, this sculpture represents peace and coexistence in a city that has gone through difficult times.

It is a symbol of hope and reconciliation, and its location facing the sea gives it a sense of openness to the world.

Empty Construction, by Jorge Oteiza

Another fundamental work for understanding art in San Sebastian is the Empty Construction by Jorge Oteiza, located on the Paseo Nuevo, near the Aquarium.

This steel sculpture, which seems to float on water, is an example of Oteiza’s minimalism and his search for the purity of art. It represents the relationship between emptiness and space, a recurring concept in his work.

The Sacred Heart, on Mount Urgull

One of the most visible sculptures in San Sebastian is the Sacred Heart, which stands at the top of Mount Urgull. This religious figure, built in 1950, stands 12 metres high and watches over the city from above.

For the people of San Sebastian, the Sacred Heart is a spiritual and tourist symbol, as from its base you can enjoy some of the best views of the city. And, in turn, the sculpture can be seen from many parts of the city.

Other contemporary sculptures in San Sebastian

As we said at the beginning of this article, San Sebastian is an open-air museum, and contemporary sculptures play an important role in its urban landscape.

Here we highlight some of the most important ones:

Five Plates Counter Clockwise, by Richard Serra.

Located in the Miramar Palace, this work by Richard Serra is a set of steel plates that appear to move in opposite directions. It is an example of the artist’s sculptural approach, which seeks to explore the relationship between space and movement.

Growing forms, by Koldobika Jauregi

Located on the roundabout in the Intxaurrondo neighbourhood (east of San Sebastian), this sculpture by Koldobika Jauregi represents the growth and evolution of nature, in constant dialogue with the urban space.

The silhouettes, by Agustín Ibarrola

Also in the Intxaurrondo neighbourhood, in the Plaza Gabriel Celaya, we find Las siluetas, a work by the famous Basque sculptor Agustín Ibarrola. This piece symbolises the importance of community and collective identity.

Homage to Gladys, by Xabier Laka

Cristina Enea Park hides many secrets. Among them is the Homage to Gladys, a sculpture dedicated to motherhood, created by Xabier Laka.

It is a tribute to Gladys del Estal, an activist killed by the Guardia Civil in the 1970s, and represents maternal protection and affection.

Guided tour of the sculptures of San Sebastian

Getting to know the city through its sculptures is a fun and different way of getting to know it, at the same time as enjoying part of its culture and essence.

Get in touch with us and do it hand in hand, we’ll tell you great stories that few people know about the city!