Draft:Altza

Altza (also known in Spanish as Alza) is a neighbourhood located in the eastern part of the city of San Sebastian, the capital of the province of Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Autonomous Community, northern Iberia. Altza is the Basque word for the alder tree, which is depicted in the former town's shield.

Historically, Altza was a self-ruling rural town with many farmhouses around. However, when it became part of San Sebastian in 1940, workers from that city and from abroad moved into the town thereby contributing to a significant increase in its population.

History
The town's existence was first documented in the 12th century in the archives of the church of Pamplona in the area of San Sebastian.

In 1390 the church of the town was built, dedicated to Saint Martial. In 1990 the sixth centenary was commemorated, and local festivities take place yearly on Saint Martial's feast day on the 30th of June.

Altza was an independent town between 1821-1823 and between 1879-1940, when it had its own town hall. However, after the Spanish Civil War, Altza agreed to its annexation by the city of San Sebastian and it became another one of its neighbourhoods in 1940. Since its incorporation into San Sebastian, Altza's population has continued to grow.

Notable residents

 * Andres Arrieta (1856-1930), bertsolaria.
 * Patxiko Arzak (1859-1928), bertsolaria.
 * Txirrita (1860-1936), bertsolaria. He was born in Hernani but he lived in Altza.
 * Xaturdino Erauskin (1874-1950), bertsolaria.
 * Inocencia Arangoa (1884-1935), painter.
 * Jose Garmendia Zabala (1885-1924), bertsolaria.
 * Juan Jose Makazaga (1887-1963), bertsolaria.
 * Anizeto Zugasti (1904-1983), writer.
 * Mariano Iurrita (1904-1976), football player.
 * Jose Ramon Erauskin (1906- ?), writer and bertsolaria.
 * Patxi Lazkano "Otxoki" (1916-1994), farmer and bertsolaria.
 * Jose Maria Etxeberria Larrarte, Etxeberria II.a (1926-), pelota player.
 * Iñaki Alkiza (1933-2023), former politician and president of the football club Real Sociedad.
 * Joxe Aierbe (1934-2012), writer and bertsolaria.
 * Josetxo Mayor (1934-2017), forest ranger in local mountain Ulia.
 * Lluís Omedes (1938-), hockey player.
 * Imanol Irigoien (1948-), writer and painter.
 * Juan Mari Arzak (1942-), chef.
 * Juan Gorostidi (1940-) writer and cyclo-cross cyclist.
 * Joan Mari Irigoien (1948-2023), writer, translator and poet.
 * Mikel Zabaltza (1952-1985)
 * Koldo Izagirre (1953-), writer.
 * Iñaki Alegria (1957-), computer scientist.
 * Felipe Juaristi (1957-), writer and poet. He was born in Azkoitia but lives in Altza.
 * Antton Etxeberria (1959-2018), actor.
 * Josu Landa Ijurko (1960-), writer.
 * Amaia Illarreta (1964-), dancer.
 * Elena Arzak (1969-), chef.
 * Bittor Alkiza (1970-), football player.
 * Juantxo Koka (1973-), pelota player.
 * Amaiur Esnaola (1992-), zoologist.