There are places that become such an integral part of a city’s landscape that they eventually turn into one of its symbols. This is the case with Peine del Viento, the iconic work by Eduardo Chillida, located facing the Cantabrian Sea at one end of La Concha Bay. Three large steel sculptures merge with the coastal rocks and are struck, again and again, by the waves.

An icon of San Sebastián

Peine del Viento, known in Basque as Haizearen orrazia, has become one of the most recognisable images of San Sebastián. This sculptural ensemble is located at the foot of Mount Igeldo, at the end of Ondarreta Beach and on the left-hand side of La Concha Bay. The work consists of three Corten steel sculptures, each weighing approximately 10 tonnes, embedded in the rocks facing the sea.

Corten steel has a very distinctive characteristic: its surface naturally oxidises, creating a layer of rust that protects the interior of the material. In this way, the passage of time and the effect of the elements become naturally visible on the surface.

The three sculptures feature a prismatic trunk that divides into four arms, bent in different ways and with varying lengths in each piece. Their geometric forms contrast with the irregularity of the rocks and the ever-changing force of the Cantabrian Sea, creating an image that has become inseparable from the landscape of San Sebastián.

The work is completed by the architectural space designed by Basque architect Luis Peña Ganchegui. Air and water outlets were also installed in the surrounding area to harness the force of the waves as they crash against the rocks and sculptures.

The story of an artwork facing the Cantabrian Sea

Eduardo Chillida’s connection with this place began long before Peine del Viento existed. As a child, the San Sebastián-born sculptor would often make his way to this stretch of coastline to enjoy the sea and watch the waves crashing against the rocks.

The artist began working on the series of sculptures entitled El Peine del Viento in 1952 and continued developing different pieces until 1999. In total, the series consists of 23 sculptures, although the one in San Sebastián is undoubtedly the best known.

Its original name is in fact El Peine del Viento XV, as it is the fifteenth work in the series. Other pieces can be found in places such as the Reina Sofía Museum in Madrid, the UNESCO headquarters in Paris and Chillida Leku in Hernani.

Chillida initially planned to place a single sculpture at this location, but ultimately decided to install three. The two closest sculptures, positioned to the right and left, face one another and represent the past, while the third, located further away, is oriented towards the horizon and represents the future.

The final work was completed in 1976, and in 1977 Chillida donated it to the city. What had initially begun as a temporary exhibition ultimately became one of the most iconic places in San Sebastián.

One of the distinctive features of Peine del Viento is that it is not simply a collection of sculptures placed by the sea; the surroundings are part of the artwork itself. The pieces are integrated into the rocks and directly exposed to the waves, so that the wind, the water and the movement of the Cantabrian Sea become part of the experience.

It is precisely this integration of sculpture, architecture and landscape that makes Peine del Viento much more than simply a monument to visit. Every visit can feel different depending on the state of the sea, the wind or the light.

How to get to Peine del Viento

Peine del Viento is located at the end of Paseo Eduardo Chillida, next to Ondarreta Beach and at the foot of Mount Igeldo. You can reach it on foot from the city centre by following the promenade along La Concha Bay to Ondarreta and continuing along the seafront until you reach the sculptures.

You can also get there by city bus, with several routes connecting the city centre to the Ondarreta area. If you prefer to travel by car, bear in mind that vehicles are not allowed to access the sculptures directly, so you will need to park nearby and continue on foot.

Once there, it is worth stopping in front of the sculptures and watching how the sea interacts with them. The sound of the waves, the wind and the forms of the steel make this an especially striking place to take in at a leisurely pace.

Other works by Eduardo Chillida in San Sebastián

Peine del Viento is not the only work by Eduardo Chillida that you can find in San Sebastián. The city is home to other works by the sculptor that offer further insight into his relationship with space and landscape.

At one of the viewpoints along the La Concha Bay promenade, just before the Miramar Tunnel, you will find Homenaje a Fleming, a tribute to the British doctor and scientist who discovered penicillin.

Also near Miramar Palace, on Pico del Loro, the rocky outcrop that separates La Concha Beach from Ondarreta Beach, stands Besarka (“Embrace” in Basque), a work dedicated to San Sebastián-born painter Rafael Ruiz Balerdi.

Book a hotel near La Concha Bay

If you would like to discover Peine del Viento and explore the main attractions of San Sebastián, Intelier Hotels & Suites offers two hotels in the city centre.

Hotel Intelier Victoria is located in a central area, very close to La Concha Bay, while Hotel Intelier Villa Katalina is next to the Buen Pastor Cathedral, right in the heart of the historic centre. Both hotels are an excellent starting point for exploring the city and making your way to Ondarreta and Peine del Viento.

Follow in Chillida’s footsteps, stroll along La Concha Bay and discover one of San Sebastián’s most iconic corners.