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Viewpoint · Irún, Basque Country
Monte San Marcial
Hill above Irún with the hermitage of San Marcial, erected in memory of the battle of 30 June 1522, commemorated in the Alarde; views over the Bidasoa, Txingudi bay and France.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Monte San Marcial
Mount San Marcial lies south of Irún, above the Bidasoa valley, and at its summit stands the hermitage of San Marcial. The place is connected to the battle of 30 June 1522, Saint Martial’s day, when local residents faced the French troops that had entered via the Bidasoa. The hermitage was built to commemorate that victory.
Centuries later, on 31 August 1813, the hillside was again a battlefield: the Spanish army, allied with the British and Portuguese, pushed back Marshal Soult’s troops during the wars against Napoleon.
The 1522 battle is remembered every year on 30 June with the Alarde de San Marcial, Irún’s main festival. Companies of locals parade through the streets with drums, fifes and historic weapons and climb up to the hermitage. On that day the town is full, and so is the hill.
From the top you can see the Bidasoa valley, Txingudi bay, Hondarribia, Hendaye and the hills of the French Basque Country. The hermitage usually opens only on festival dates; the hill can be visited at any time of year.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1h30 to 2 hours, including the walk up.
Best time
Morning or late afternoon, in clear weather. On 30 June, the day of the Alarde, the hill is crowded.
How to get there
It is about 3 km from Irún center. There is a road up to the summit and paths to walk up from the Behobia neighborhood.
Tip
If you are in Irún on 30 June, watch the Alarde in the city center streets in the morning.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Monte San Marcial
Why is there a hermitage on Mount San Marcial?
In memory of the battle of 30 June 1522, Saint Martial’s day, against the French troops.
What is the Alarde de San Marcial?
Irún's main festival, on June 30, featuring a parade of neighborhood groups with drums and fifes that march up to the hermitage.
What can you see from the top of the mountain?
The Bidasoa valley, the Txingudi bay, Hondarribia, Hendaye, and the mountains of the French Basque Country.