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2010 marks the centenary of the iconic balustrade of La Concha beach in Donostia-San Sebastián, so the Caldereros association paid tribute to its creator Juan Rafael Alday last week. It is the absolute emblem of the city.

The genuine balustrade dates from 1910, when the Donostia-San Sebastián town hall took advantage of Queen Elizabeth II arrival to boost a comprehensive refurbishing on the former Los Baños street, or the current La Concha seafront.

The work by the municipal architect Rafael Alday was essential in turning La Concha into a royal beach, worthy of a monarch at the time. To succeed in, there were major works, La Perla spa was created and, between 1910 and 1920, they put the famous balustrade, moving the previous one (1895) to the Francia promenade.

Due to storms, the balustrade must be occasionally refurbished. Mendia and Murua company is in charge of it, but also of reproducing the image for general customers given that the work is not copyrighted. The firm is also responsible for other items and emblematic furniture of Donostia-San Sebastián such as the period lampposts and the little vases of the Francia promenade.