Interesting places / History and Cultural Heritage

City: Zarautz


The first document is known about Zarauz is the award in 1237 by Ferdinand III of outside San Sebastian. However, in a 1025 document mentions Elkano, a village whose church dedicated to St. Peter and the early Gothic style, suggests to some historians here as the primitive core of Zarauz . From early times this village appears tied to the lords of Zarauz , regarded as one of the Elders who fought for the side Gamboinos. The legend of his coat of arms "Zarauz before  Zarauz " is to say that the settlement of this family predates the founding of the town.


 Among the activities of its inhabitants include agriculture, shipbuilding and coastal fisheries run through "txalupas." The whaling juice also an important role in the economy of the town. Proof of this is that this whale next to a castle and a lion on the coat of arms of the villa.


 The move to the modernity of this village comes together at the beginning of tourism and industry. Coinciding with the summer residence of Queen Elizabeth I I, tourism becomes an important economic activity, which represents a big break in the second half of the nineteenth century.


 Txema Fernandez  and Fermin Etxeberria images

Photo of History and Cultural Heritage