Iglesia de San Vicente (Church of Saint Vincent)

The 16th century Gothic Church of San Vicente is one of the very few buildings that survived the city-wide fire that resulted when Napoleon’s troops torched the city during the Napoleonic War in 1813. As such, San Vincente is now considered to be the oldest building in San Sebastián. But very little in Spain was built where something didn’t exist before. The original San Vicente is thought to have been a Romanesque style church built at the end of the 7th century.

San Vicente, as we see it today, was designed by Miguel de Santa Celay and Juan de Urrutia. There are three naves, a transept aligned with the side naves, an octagonal apse, ribbed vaults supported by circular pillars with small columns attached on the interior and supported by solid ordinary and flying buttresses on the exterior. The baroque portico is by Domingo Zaldua and the vestry was designed and built by Juan de Umbarambe.

Of particular note is the main altarpiece of San Vicente made by Ambrosio de Bengoechea in collaboration with Juanes de Iriarte. The altarpiece consists of a pedestal on which there are several panels depicting scenes of Christ’s suffering and death.

The towers were erected in the 19th century by Echeveste. In 1892, a semi-octagonal baptistery was added to the eastern façade. In 1923, the four rose windows, a legacy from the Duke of Mandas, were installed on the church's façade.

Hours of Operation: Monday to Sunday from 8:30am to 1pm (13.00) and from 6:30pm (18.30) to 8:30pm (20.30)
Admission is free.