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> Old Quarter
Despite its role as a port and stronghold from the Middle Ages on, nothing remains in Donostia of such a distant past; its oldest district, the Old Quarter, dates back less than two centuries, as it had to be rebuilt following the burning of the city in 1813, when Napoleon’s troops were expelled.
The Old Quarter is home to some of the most prized treasures for local people and visitors alike, such as the 18th century Church of Santa Maria or the 16th century Church of San Vicente, which is also the city’s oldest building. In addition to what may constitute a pleasant stroll through its streets, which maintain the same arrangement and layout as those in centuries past, those who walk along them will discover the amazing landscape of bar tops sagging under the weight of pintxos, or tapas.