Eduardo Chillida's three steel sculptures anchored to the rocks at the western end of Ondarreta beach. When the Atlantic swells hit, seawater erupts through engineered blowholes in the plaza. One of the most dramatic public art installations in Europe.
Location
Antiguo, San Sebastian
Map
Insider Intel
Go when the sea is rough — the installation is designed for Atlantic swells. The blowholes fire geysers of seawater across the plaza when waves hit. The three steel combs (peine means comb) are bolted directly into the rocks. Walk around the full plaza to see how Chillida and architect Luis Peña Ganchegui designed the space to channel the sea. The benches and railings are part of the artwork.
Stormy weather for the full effect — check wind and wave forecasts. Winter and spring have the biggest swells. Sunset is popular but the installation works at any hour. High tide amplifies the blowholes.
Completed in 1977 after years of planning and engineering. Chillida was born in San Sebastian and the Peine del Viento is his gift to the city. The three sculptures (each weighing 10 tons) represent the dialogue between human creativity and natural force. The plaza design integrates rock, steel, and water into a unified experience. It is one of those rare public artworks where context and execution are inseparable. Free and always accessible. Walk here from La Concha along the promenade — it takes 20 minutes and passes Ondarreta beach.