The route for the ninth edition of the San Sebastian Circuit Spirit tourist rally has been finalised, with the province of Gipuzkoa taking centre stage.
The rally is divided into two sections, each of which is split into two stages.
The first section, taking place in the morning, will take participants from the starting point, situated right in the centre of Donostia – San Sebastián, to the beautiful coastal town of Deba. The second section will see the convoy of cars return from Deba to the provincial capital.
Azpeitia is situated in the shelter of the Izarraitz massif in the Urola region.
The town is well known for the Sanctuary of Loiola. This Baroque building has a circular floor plan and is crowned by a spectacular dome. We will also admire the medieval tower house of the Loiola family, where Saint Ignatius of Loiola, the most famous Basque of all time, was born. All these features combine to create a truly astonishing site of international renown.
The municipality has three interesting museums that are well worth a visit: the Basque Railway Museum, the Ingurugiro Etxea Museum, and the Santa Casa and the Loiola Tower House. We would particularly highlight the Railway Museum, which offers an insight into the railway history of the Basque Country through an exhibition of over sixty fully restored and operational vehicles; it is one of the most important museums of its kind in Europe.
It is at the Loiola Sanctuary that we will make our first stop to rest for a while and enjoy a snack.
After stopping in Azpeitia, we will head towards Deba, the town where the first section – the morning leg – of the rally is scheduled to end.
With a history closely linked to the sea, Deba prospered thanks to fishing, whaling, ironworks and trade, becoming a key port for the export of wool in the 15th century. Although it eventually lost its strategic importance, in the 19th century it became a summer resort.
Today, Deba is a must-visit tourist destination within the UNESCO Global Geopark of the Basque Coast. Spectacular beaches and cliffs, Cretaceous limestone massifs, archaeological sites, fascinating routes and trails, the Way of St James, extraordinary Gothic monuments, our cuisine and our festivals offer us the chance to discover the geological history and culture of a town with a history stretching back a thousand years.
Once we’ve made our stop – which we’ll use to recharge our batteries – we’ll head back towards Donostia – San Sebastián, enjoying the extraordinary views offered by the Guipúzcoa coastal road. The Donostia Racecourse will be the rally’s final stop before reaching the provincial capital, where, as in every previous edition, we’ll bring the rally to a close.
As always, a huge crowd will be waiting for the arrival of all these gems on wheels.
Alongside its natural, architectural and scenic features, gastronomy is another of the attractions and hallmarks of Donostia-San Sebastián and, indeed, the whole province of Gipuzkoa. From Michelin-starred restaurants to any of the bars with their counters laden with pintxos – authentic haute cuisine in miniature – as well as steakhouses, cider houses and gastronomic societies, it is very easy to satisfy the palate.
