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Church · San Sebastián, Basque Country
Basílica de Santa María del Coro
An 18th-century Baroque church at the end of Calle Mayor, with a sculpted façade that frames the Buen Pastor cathedral at the far end of the street and Saint Sebastian atop the portal.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Basílica de Santa María del Coro
The Basilica of Santa María del Coro is the main church of the Parte Vieja of San Sebastián, built between 1743 and 1774 on a previous Romanesque church, at the foot of Mount Urgull. It survived the 1813 fire and was elevated to a minor basilica in 1973.
The Baroque stone façade features a tall portal like a carved altarpiece, with the image of Saint Sebastian, the city’s patron, tied to a tree and pierced by arrows. The church stands at the end of Calle Mayor, and from its doorway you can see the tower of the Buen Pastor cathedral at the other end of the street, a planned alignment.
Inside, the layout has three naves of equal height in a late Gothic style, with a Baroque main altar and side chapels. In the Chapel of Cristo de la Paz there is a carving much venerated by locals, and the Virgen del Coro, the small image that gives the church its name, is the city’s patroness.
The basilica hosts organ concerts and ceremonies linked to the city’s festivals.
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
20 to 30 minutes.
Best time
In the morning or late afternoon, when light hits the façade. Check visiting hours outside of Mass times.
How to get there
It’s at the end of Calle Mayor in the Parte Vieja, a 3-minute walk from San Telmo and a 5-minute walk from La Concha beach.
Tip
From the doorway, look down Calle Mayor to see the Buen Pastor tower aligned at the end. Stop in front of the façade to view the figures on the portal.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Basílica de Santa María del Coro
What does the façade of Santa María show?
Saint Sebastian, the city’s patron, tied and pierced with arrows, high on a carved Baroque portal.
Is the basilica the cathedral of San Sebastián?
No. The cathedral is the Buen Pastor, in the modern center. Santa María is the main church of the Old Part (Parte Vieja).
What is the Virgin of the Choir?
A small image of the Virgin, the city’s patron, which gives the basilica its name.