María Cristina bridge

San Sebastian is crossed by the Urumea River, which divides the city into two parts: east and west. To connect both parts of the city, the Urumea is crossed by a series of bridges, the first being the Kursaal or Zurriola, and the most spectacular, and the subject of this post, the María Cristina Bridge.

The María Cristina Bridge is also known as the third bridge or the station bridge, as crossing it from the centre takes us to the train station (and, for the last few years, the bus station).

A bit of history

Following the reconstruction in stone of the Santa Catalina Bridge, which connects the centre of San Sebastian with the Gros neighbourhood, it was decided that the city needed more connections between the two sides of the Urumea River. Thus, to connect the city centre with the recently built North Station, a wooden footbridge was first built to facilitate access to the station and bring this new means of transport closer to the neighbourhood that was gradually being built outside the walls surrounding the Old Town.

Thus, on 20 January 1905, the new María Cristina Bridge was inaugurated, named after the Queen Regent who spent her summers in San Sebastian and was the guest of honour at the event. The event was attended by a large part of the San Sebastian population, as until recently there had only been one bridge over the Urumea River and it was an important occasion. Furthermore, it was Saint Sebastian’s Day, the city’s most important festival, so everyone was out on the streets celebrating.

On that day, the balconies in the neighbourhood were decorated, there was a parade, and bands and the Orfeón Donostiarra choir performed. There were fireworks and a fire bull, and few 20th January celebrations have been as complete as that year’s, undoubtedly a day that the people of San Sebastian would remember for a long time to come.

The bridge

Of all the bridges in San Sebastian, the María Cristina is probably the most striking and admired. Its four pylons crowned with golden equestrian figures leave no one indifferent, especially when it is the first thing you see of the city as you leave the train or bus stations. In addition, it was recently restored, recovering its original colours, making it even more spectacular.

The bridge was designed by engineer José Eugenio Ribera, who was assisted by architect Julio Martínez-Zapata. Ribera was one of the first experts in reinforced concrete at the time, a material he used in this construction and which was one of the novelties that attracted the most attention at the beginning. The equestrian sculptures were the work of artist Ángel García Díaz. All three were inspired by the Alexandre III Bridge in Paris, built a few years earlier. It could be said that the María Cristina is a smaller version of its Parisian counterpart.

And although today there are many more ways to cross the Urumea than there were just a century and a half ago, the María Cristina Bridge is undoubtedly the most spectacular of them all and a favourite among many locals and visitors alike. Now that its pavements have been widened, crossing it is a pleasure, with its views of the Santa Catalina Bridge being some of the most beautiful in the city. The promenades on both sides, lined with trees and stately buildings, are a most pleasant route, which we recommend to all those who visit us.

However, if cycling is your thing, you can always rent one of our electric bikes and ride along both banks of the Urumea River and cross all its bridges, including the María Cristina. You won’t regret it.