La Batería de la Damas (The Ladies Battery”), San Sebastian

The Ladies Battery is a historically-rich military area located at the foot of Monte Urgull in San Sebastian. It was constructed to defend the port and could beat the entrance to the bay, the island of Santa Clara, and Mount Igueldo. The battery occupies the spot where the Santa Clara Sentry Box once stood. The name "Batería de las Damas" comes from the fountain that used to be located in the lower part of the bastion. Local women would come here to collect water, and the only path that led to the fountain crossed the battery. This resulted in frequent encounters between soldiers and the women from the city.

Today, visitors to the Batería de las Damas can explore the cannons that were used during wars in Morocco, and a house that once served as a museum of military miniatures. The upper part of the Battery is home to a library that is open during Easter Week and the summer months. On days when the sea is rough, visitors can go to the lookout points and witness the waves leaping over the breaker wall, creating a breathtaking image of the city.

The Batería de las Damas can be freely visited, and it is one of the most historically significant corners of Monte Urgull. With its strategic location and impressive cannons, it is an important reminder of the city's military past.