Bridge of San Sebastian

Like many cities in the world, San Sebastian is crossed by a river that divides it in two. In ancient times, the Urumea was a navigable river, used to bring goods from the interior of the province, such as cider or wood.

Its waters were also used by washerwomen to clean clothes on its banks, and some mills used the current that flowed down to grind cereals such as wheat. This is why there were hardly any bridges in San Sebastián over the Urumea River, since they hindered the activities that took place there.

Nowadays, this has changed a lot. There is no river trade, no washerwomen, no mills, and the few boats that we can see on the Urumea are pleasure boats, traineras and canoes, and also some surfers on the days when the waves are bigger (we cannot forget that, after all, the Urumea becomes a river when it reaches San Sebastian). And that is why, today, there are several bridges crossing the city, helping to connect both banks and their inhabitants. Let’s look at some of them.

Astinène Bridge

Recently opened, it replaces the old one that was in danger of collapse and that had been built in 1862. Its name comes from the farmhouse that is right next door, a 17th century building practically in ruins, which is believed to have been an old shipyard, and which was later a very popular picnic area. Perhaps with the opening of the new bridge and the entire remodelling of the area, it will be recovered for a new use. We will keep an eye on it.

Mikel Laboa catwalk

The next bridge over the Urumea is only for pedestrians and bicycles, and connects Riberas de Loyola with Cristina Enea Park, making it very easy to get to the Centre. It was built in 2009 and, like the previous one, has no supports on the river bed, which means that in the event of a rise in the water level, its use will not be affected.

Royal Society Bridge

Also known as the Iron Bridge, as this was the main material of the bridge it replaced in 2010, this bridge is the one used by RENFE trains arriving in San Sebastian. Its wide pavement and benches overlooking the Urumea make it a very pleasant bridge to cross, but also to be on, making the walk along the river a very pleasant walk that we recommend to anyone who visits us.

Jose Antonio Aguirre Bridge

This is one of the most recent bridges in San Sebastian, having been inaugurated in 2010, like the previous one. It is recognisable by its white arches and its pavement decorated with coloured tiles, laid according to a design by the artist Manu Muniategiandikoetxea.

Mundaiz Bridge

The oldest of San Sebastian’s new bridges, the Mundaiz Bridge was inaugurated in 2009 and was the first in the city without supports on the river bed. Along with its construction, the Federico García Lorca promenade was opened and the Gladys del Estal footbridge was built over the railway tracks, which serves as an entrance to the Cristina Enea park.

Maria Cristina Bridge

Opened on 20 January 1905, the feast of San Sebastian, it is named after Queen Maria Cristina, who spent the summer in the city at the time and to whom the nearby hotel was also named. This is perhaps the most spectacular bridge in Donosti thanks to its 4 obelisks topped by golden sculptures. And it may look familiar to more than one person, as it is a smaller version of the Alexander III Bridge in Paris.

St. Catherine’s Bridge

For centuries this was the only bridge in the city, although until 1872 it was made of wood. This made it much easier to destroy and rebuild in the event of an invasion. Both bridges coexisted briefly, until the wooden one was completely demolished. As a curious fact, the current one used to be longer, but with the Gros extension one of its spans was absorbed into the new road.

Zurriola or Kursaal Bridge

The last (or first, depending on where you start counting) of the San Sebastian bridges was inaugurated in 1921, next to the old Gran Casino Kursaal that stood where the congress palace of the same name now stands. It has unbeatable views of the river mouth, and in the wave season you have to cross it carefully or you could end up soaked to the skin.l río, y en época de olas hay que cruzarlo con cuidado o puedes terminar calado hasta los huesos.

Ver más sobre el punte de Zurriola

We hope we have shown you all the bridges that run through San Sebastián. If you want to know more about our city, what better than with a free tour .