hondarribia

We caught bus 57 from downtown Donostia and took about a twenty minute ride to Hondarribia. Several families have sent their students to the Summer in the USA program over the years from this area. Our Basque son is from Hondarribia. He stayed with us in 2002. Elli and her family, that I spoke about earlier, lives in Hondarribia. She even came down during her busy day, she is a teacher, to welcome us and show us where we could catch a boat ride to Hendaya, France over the Txingudi bay. A notable resident is José María Olazábal famous Spanish golfer, winner of two U.S. Masters titles and regular member of the European Ryder cup team.
 
When we arrived at the round about, we headed up to the old part of town. We walked up a hill to the Arama Plaza. The area is surrounded by a huge stone wall and a castle. The castle was built by the king of Navarre, Sancho Abarca, in the 10th century is the center of old town. The building still retains the appearance and atmosphere of an original medieval fortress. The thick-walled exterior of the fortress can be seen in the doorway. There is a courtyard inside as well, but only special visitors are allowed to walk there. You can still see the pot holes where canon balls caused damage.

The windows, doors and colors all were fascinating to me. Even a downspout - or substitute for a downspout - was designed in the shape of a bird. Their must be some significance in using a bird I will research. The feel of the city was more relaxed and welcoming with a canopy of trees providing shade as we walked down main street.