I made a post yesterday regarding the Churches of Overtown.  I spoke about the wonderful and unique churches, but also spoke about the dreadful urban conditions around them.  Surrounding buildings ignore the churches and the urban fabric does little to enhance their importance as cultural and historic landmarks.  In essence, the city ignores the churches.

This got me thinking about San Sebastian (Donostia) in the Basque Country of Spain.  Unlike in Overtown, churches there take prominance on the streets.  Buildings surrounding the churches give way to them – the streets highlight their importance to the city. In many instances and much like a monument, the churches form the terminating backdrop down the end of a street.  When one walks through the streets of San Sebastian there is no doubt that these buildings play an important role in the urban fabric and history of the city.

Much like a picture frame, the streets and surrounding buildings frame churches in view – and very much like a theater stage, they form the focal point of the urban fabric.  Churches are positioned so pedestrians on the streets have to interact with them, or at least notice their presence.  In this way the churches are more than religious spaces for members or believers — they are cultural and historical physical elements to be experienced on the street.  One does not even have to get close to a church to notice it — there is always a clear line of sight all the way down the street.

In the old quarter of San Sebastian one can find two churches that are splendidly sited within the urban fabric.  Each one uses a different apporach or condition to accentuate the urban theater on the streets. Outside the old  quarter, the main cathedral is also notable for its urbanism.

1. Basilica De Santa Maria Del Coro (Old Quarter)

• A rococo designed church that terminates the street (Calle del Mayor) to the north.  Buildings on both sides of the street frame the church which serves as the backdrop wall for the entire street.   Much like a T junction on a road, when one reaches the Church, one must turn right or left because the Church comprises the end of the street.  Mountains behind the Church also accentuate the backdrop. (See Images Below)

2. Iglesia/Church de San Vicente (Old Quarter)

• This building is sited at angle from the rest of the buildings and occupies an open space within the old quarters fabric.  When one approaches this space from the down the street, the church peeks into the street announcing itself.  The majority of the building remains out of site until one reaches the space, but one can continue without having to be diverted. (See Images Below)

3. Buen Pastor Cathedral

• A much larger church that announces itself — it’s height dominates the skyline as the most important Cathedral in the city.  The building is also sited in the middle of a main thoroughfare in a plaza that divides the street into two parts — therefore when approaching from either end of the street, one is forced to go around the church.  The nave and altar are aligned with the street – making the church tower and main facade backdrops from both sides of the main street.   Buildings along the street also frame the church in view and contain the space around the church.  Furthermore, unlike the Basilica de Santa Maria del Coro, one can walk through the plaza around the Cathedral del Buen Pastor and continue along the same street. (See Images Below)

The following is a map showcasing the urban placement of the churches above.  It is important to notice how buildings and spaces surrounding the churches highlight the position of the building within the urban fabric — how they enclose and form the space around them.

Here are some images of the Churches.  It is important to notice how the pictures highlight the different approaches to each church, and how the streets and surrounding buildings assist in highlighting these approaches. 

Related posts:

1. Churches of Overtown
2. Plaza del Pilar
3. The Duomo
4. City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias)
5. Old Quarter of San Sebastian