Donostia-San Sebastian. Old Church of the Martyrs (Parroquia Mártir El Antiguo)

History shows that as early as 1014, a Church appeared on the shore of the Bay of La Concha, standing on the way of pilgrims going to San De Compostela. This Church was destroyed during the First Carlite war. On the ruins of an ancient temple, a new Church was built in 1842, receiving the name of Saints Mary and Vicente. In 1872, due to the growth of the parish, the Church was significantly expanded, also receiving a new portal. In 1979, the parish priest Jose Aristizabal seeks funds from the municipality for the construction of a bell tower, which was erected in 1881 using materials from the Loreto chapel of an abandoned cemetery given over to development.

For the construction of a summer residence in San Sebastian, Queen Maria Christina purchased several plots of land in 1887, including the one where the Church stood, which was doomed to demolition. In order not to leave the parish without a temple, the Queen ordered a new Church to be built at the same time as the Miramar Palace, at the foot of the hill. An open architectural competition was announced, which was won by the project Of josé de Goikoa. The first stone was laid on September 24, 1888, in the presence of the Queen and family members. While it was being built, an old soap factory a couple of blocks up had been rented for the Church service.

The Church was built in neo-Gothic style, it is interesting that the bell tower of the old Church was moved by stone to the new building. On September 7, 1889, the Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Vitoria, the next day, on the feast of the virgin del Coro, the official opening took place, which was attended by Maria Cristina and her son Alfonso XIII, the military and civil authorities. The festival continued with a concert of famous musicians, dances accompanied by a municipal orchestra and fireworks. The Church was named "Old Church of the Martyrs" (Parroquia Mártir El Antiguo on the map).