Church of San Bizente Martiria-San Vicente Mártir, Donostia-San Sebastián, Gothic church in Old Town San Sebastián, Spain
The Church of San Vicente Mártir is a Gothic structure with three naves arranged in a rectangular plan, with a notably tall central nave at its heart. Four matching rose windows made of sandstone pierce the walls and allow light to filter through the interior.
Construction started in 1507 under stonemasons Miguel de Santa Celay and Juan de Urrutia and continued until 1574, replacing an earlier temple that burned down in 1489. This lengthy building process reflects the scale and complexity of such projects in that era.
The church is named after an early Christian martyr and reflects how religious devotion shaped the Old Town for centuries. Visitors can see the artistic touches that craftspeople added layer by layer to make the interior feel sacred and important.
The church sits along a well-traveled pilgrimage route and can be visited on most days, though opening hours vary between weekdays and Sundays. Visitors should note that access can shift depending on religious services, so it helps to check ahead whether the building is open for visits.
The building houses a French pipe organ from the 1800s created by a renowned instrument maker, which recently underwent complete restoration work. This major rebuild took place in France and shows how precious and delicate such instruments are.
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