The architect Rafael Moneo has created the newest landmark in San Sebastian, the Kursaal Auditorium and Congress Center (or Centro Kursaal for short) alongside the Zurriola Beach and the Cantabrian Sea at the mouth of the Urumea River. Completed in 1999, the Kursaal is the new home for conventions as well as concert acts such as Van Morrison. The bold minimalistic design consists of two "cubes" with translucent glass walls. Moneo has stated that he wanted the two elements of the Kursaal to remind one of the rocks along the shoreline. In the daytime the dull hue of the buildings helps them to blend in with its natural landscape. However, when the cubes are illuminated from within at nighttime, they emit a glorious glow that can be seen for miles, mimicking two gigantic night lights.
If you are not attending a conference or performance, there is a daily tour of the Kursaal scheduled in the early afternoon. There are 2 main auditoriums, various spaces for exhibitions and meetings, offices, restaurants, and an underground parking garage. The lights are not turned on until about dusk, so make sure to plan for enough time in town if you are hitting San Sebastian as a day trip from Bilbao or southern France. It is an experience to hear and watch the occasionally rough seas pound the rocks along the shore as the golden glow of the Kursaal looms large over the area.