Since its origins, Tolosa has held a place of singular importance in the history of Gipuzkoa. It was a walled town and an important military stronghold that was granted numerous royal privileges. In the General Assemblies it held a position of prime importance together with San Sebastian. In the 19th century, between 1844 and 1854, it was the capital of Gipuzkoa.
Over the centuries it has suffered numerous fires and floods and was especially affected by the wars of the last century. Even so, despite the great urbanistic transformation that this has meant, it conserves the road layout and part of the plot layout from mediaeval times.
The Old Quarter, one of the largest in Gipuzkoa, is an ordered area formed by six streets crossed transversally by streets and corners. The original centre of the town was, it would seem, formed by three streets.
It conserves buildings of great interest, with highlights being: the
Parish Church of Santa María, situated in the periphery and Basque gothic in style; the Andia,
Atodo,
Aranburu and
Idiakez palaces, the two Town Halls and the old Palacio de la Diputación.
