Peine del Viento XV Monument
Coastal steel sculptures integrated into rocky shoreline
Eduardo Chillida's Peine del Viento sculptures punctuate San Sebastián's rocky western shore with three anchored steel blades and rock platforms. Visitors time low tide and rough seas for dramatic wave interactions and coastal walks.
Peine del Viento XV at a Glance#
Address: Peine del Viento, San Sebastián (Etxadi/Peine del Viento site)
About Peine del Viento XV#
Peine del Viento (Comb of the Wind) is a sculptural ensemble by Eduardo Chillida located at the western tip of Ondarreta beach in San Sebastián, Basque Country. The work comprises a small group of large steel forms fixed to the natural rocky point where the sea meets the shore.
The installation consists of three main steel sculptures set into the rock, with adjacent concrete platforms and walkways that bring visitors close to the shoreline and sea spray. The site is open to the public and is one of San Sebastián’s most photographed coastal artworks.
The sculptures were created by Eduardo Chillida in the 1970s in collaboration with architect Luis Peña Ganchegui, and were installed as a permanent integration of modern sculpture with the natural coastline. The project established the location as an emblematic meeting of art and landscape in the city.
Situated at the western end of Ondarreta beach in San Sebastián (Donostia), the works occupy the rocky promontory where the city’s coastline meets the Bay of Biscay.
- Best viewing conditions: Best experienced at high tide or rough sea conditions when waves break against the rocks and the sculptures for dramatic effect.
What to See#
- Sculptural group: A set of three large, rusted-steel sculptures embedded into the natural rock at the western end of Ondarreta beach, designed to interact with wind and sea.
- Viewing platforms and promenade: Concrete promenades and viewing platforms that link the sculptures to the coastal promenade and provide viewpoints over the Bay of Biscay.
How to Get to Peine del Viento XV#
The sculptures sit at the end of the Paseo Nuevo in San Sebastián (Donostia). It’s a 15-20 minute walk west from the Old Town (Parte Vieja) or readily accessible by local buses that run along the seafront.
Tips for Visiting Peine del Viento XV#
- Arrive at low tide to observe how the sculptures play against the exposed rock base and the sea's retreat.
- Walk the cliff path toward the westernmost sculpture for the best view of the wind's choreography over the metal forms.
- Don't forget to turn and look back at the city - the work frames the seascape and the Basque coastline together.
Best Time to Visit Peine del Viento XV#
Both summer for comfort and winter for dramatic seas are good times; the work is designed to be experienced with wind and water.
Weather & Climate near Peine del Viento XV#
Temperate climate with warm summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1269 mm/year), wettest in November.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 5° - 12° | 7° | 123 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| February | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 101 mm | overcast | 81% | 4.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.3h |
| March | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 99 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 8° - 16° | 12° | 127 mm | overcast | 80% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.3h |
| May | Good | 11° - 19° | 15° | 101 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.5h |
| June | Very Good | 14° - 22° | 18° | 72 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.2h |
| July | Very Good | 16° - 24° | 20° | 65 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.9h |
| August | Very Good | 17° - 24° | 20° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.8h |
| September | Very Good | 15° - 23° | 19° | 92 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.9h |
| November | Acceptable | 8° - 16° | 12° | 148 mm | overcast | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.5h |
| December | Acceptable | 7° - 13° | 8° | 124 mm | overcast | 82% | 4.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
