SANTANDER
LOCATION AND CLIMATE
The port is formed by the Calderón, Maura and Albareda wharfs and the Maritime Station, where the Santander/Plymouth Ferry comes in to moor, every Tuesday and Thursday. There are also another two marinas, Puertochico and Maliaño (for fishing boats). Somo, with its miles of golden sand dunes and Pedreña, where the world famous golfer, Severiano Ballesteros, was born, are on the opposite side of Santander. Santander has around two hundred thousand inhabitants, a figure which doubles every summer due to the influx of tourists.
SUMMER IS A MUST!
Firstly their are two important cultural entities which attract people thisty for knowledge from all over the world. They are called the Menéndez Pelayo International University where interesting courses are held relating to all manner of Spanish Culture and Language. Then, the International Music Festival of Santander, with such famous people appearing as Plácido Domingo. All kinds of cultural activities to entice young and old alike are organized by the Council. Free night-time variety shows are held in the Sardinero Auditorium, next to San Roque Church, from mid-July until the end of August. Fairs and fireworks are held on the Sardinero Beach, in July and twice in August, and pop concerts for the younger public are held in the Bull Fighting Ring as well as in the Magdalena Palace grounds. SPORTS
Due to its location and orography, sports such as sailing, surfing,wind surfing, ski-ing, climbing, mountaineering and a long list of etceteras are easily carried out in Cantabria, as are many other sports due to the excellent facilities available, for instance the public golf course of Mataleñas, HISTORY
Santander was supposed to have been founded in the year 21 B.C. when Marco Agripa came ashore and defeated the Cantabrian resistence. The village was then known as Portus Victoriae.
Two christian soldiers, Celedonio and Emeterio were decapitated in Calahorra and their heads taken to Santander where they were received like saints. They were proclaimed patrons of the Borough and the name of the city was changed to Portus Sancti Emetherii, which evolved and changed until developping into today's Santander. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Santander was a prosperous city from which wool, iron and flour left for Europe. Together with the other towns making up the "Four Coastal Bouroughs", it took part in the Reconquest of Seville. The Armada was led by Admiral Bonifaz and all involved in their vistory won privileges and a formidable reputation. The Exploits of Pero Niño, the first Count of Buelna, as the leader of troops from Santander were also famous.
Although Santander has such great history, it was still no more than a small town. Unfortunately it was destroyed at the beginning of the 15th century by a fire which spread easily throughout the city with its wooden houses. In the 16th century it was contaminated by the plague which was brought into the port by the English boat Rotamundo, causing decimation in the city.
By the 18th century, Santander was already recognized as the capital of the province, to the detriment of Santillana del Mar. The Bishopric of Santander was created in 1754 and a year later the town was granted the title of city. It was officially elected as capital of the province in 1760. By the 19th century, Santander had already become a hugely prosperous city. Half way throught the century, Isabel II decided to spend her summers in the city, bringing about a great influx of visitors. In 1894 an explosion took place which destroyed a large part of the city. A merchant boat called "Machichaco", which had been carrying a large load of explosives exploded, destroying the part of Santander closest to the port.
Although it is a fact that Santander recovered, fate (a terrible fate, unfortunately) would have it that destruction was once again to rage through this harbour city. When the Southern wind blows in to Santander from the mountains of Palencia, it brings with it a high temperature which is both dry and aggresive. On that day of February 1941, its presence proved fatal, since it encouraged the fury of a fire which had already started, and which overtook the streets of the city for three days. Dynamite had to be used to create firebreaks in order to stop the flames, which had already destroyed 476 buildings: a quarter of Santander. ART
The Cathedral, a gothic construction dating from the 14th Century, is the oldest building in the City. The crypt, now known as the Church of Christ, was built prior to the Cathedral an dates from the 13th century. In fact this crypt is a small church with three apses which was built in the gothic style typical to the city of Burgos. Excavations carried out in the nave of the Gospel brought to light remains of an ancient Roman house. The Superior Church is in the Gothic style typical to Burgundy with several Baroque and Renaissance chapels. Amongst the unusual objects to be found inside this church is the Muslim ablution font and the tomb of Menéndez Pelayo, a work by the sculptor Victorio Macho. After the fire of 1941, parts of the Cathedral had to be rebuilt, with a new transept and girola being added on.
Another church also worth visiting is the church of the Assumption, a good example of religious architecture from the Renaissance period. Its design is attributed to Juan de Nates, an important architect in the classical Herrerian style.
The ensemble comprising the Menéndez Pelayo Library, the Municipal Library, the State Public Library and the Provincial Historical Archives is one of the most appreciated in the City. Although Don Marcelino Menéndez Pelayo stated that his library could not be mixed toghether with any other, he left open the possibility of installing the Library and Municipal Museum within its precincts, keeping reasonable distance and independence.
In front of the Library is Menéndez Pelayo's house, now a museum. It was built in 1876 by Leonardo Rucabado, who gave the building the stamp of mountain elegance typical to Santander over a construction base of Baroque an Herrerian styles, with Renaissance motifs. The Museum House and Menéndez Pelayo Library were declared Historical Artistic Monuments in 1982.
La Magdalena Palace. The people of Santander, grateful for the visits made by the Royal Family during the summer, gave La Magdalena peninsula and the palace which stands on it as a gift to Alphonso XIII at the beginning of this century in order that it be used as a royal residence. In 1978, the city bought the Palace and its peninsula back from its Royal owner.
Today it forms part of the public Patrimony of Santander together with a mini-zoo, which can also be visited in the same area. The Small caravels and raft which are exhibited next to the minizoo are the vessels used by the Cantabrian sailor Vital Alsar, a seafaring adventured who crossed in a ship of similar characteristics to those used by Christopher Columbus. He crossed as a homage to and sistering with the South American people, on the occasion of the five hundredth anniversary of the Discovery. The overall beauty of Cantabria means that its touristical potential has never ending possibilities. On one side are the mountains, for example the "Picos de Europa", which attract many tourists. Some come to go climbing whilst others simply come for a quiet rest. There is also a third possibility, that of ski-ing which can be conveniently practised at the Alto Campoo station.
Yet another variant is that of coastal tourism during the summer season. We recommend that you choose the months either prior to or later then July and August, since the weather is just as warm and there are less people, giving the additional benefit of more peaceful holidays. The coast has a great many beaches, all of which are highly recommended for their environmental quality and beauty. Depending on the season, naturally, it is possible to carry out both large and small game hunting on the Saja National Reserve. Or even better "photograph hunting", a sport of undoubtedly great interest since the Reserve has a great many animal species, amongst which are bears, being under official protection in order to prevent their extinction. As well as being able to practise underwater and coastal fishing in the Cantabrian Sea, there are a great many trout and salmon fishing rivers throughout the Region.
Five spas are open from the beginning right throught until the end of summer. Some are even open until mid-October. These spas give treatment for rheumatism, Kidney, respiratory tract, heart and gout complaints, etc. although there is always the temptation of "shutting ourselves away" in a spa and enjoying the peace and quiet which we so miss in city life. And what's more, you can also get to know the delicious Cantabrian cuisine in any of the many high-quality restaurants existing throughout the Region. Or enjoy a refreshing break in a friendly hotel, perhaps after having undergone the emotion of playing at the tables of the Sardinero Casino.
Gastronomy. The most famous dish in Cantabrian cooking is the "cocido montañe;s" which normally consists of white kidney beans, cabbage, spicy sausage, bacon, black pudding and pork chops. This dish shares its fame with the delicious fish stew, "la marmita". This dish is prepared on the basis of tuna fish and potatoes, with many variations depending on the coastal area in which it is prepared.
Due to the fact that Cantabria has a great deal of coastline, there are as many kinds of fish as there are ways of preparing it. It goes without saying that seafood from the Cantabria is delicious, a fact which only improves with each tasting.
The interior is famous for meat from Reinosa, the Toranzo Valley and Asón area, to name but a few.
Cheese also holds can important position in Cantabrian gastronomy. Almost all areas in the Region have their own variety of cheeses, all of which have their own particular taste and method of production. As for cakes and pastries, our "sobaos pasiegos", are nationally renowned sponge fingers. Similar fame goes to the "quesada", which also comes from the "pasiega" area. Other deeply rooted Cantabrian desserts are "corbatas" from Unquera and "pantortillas" from Reinosa, to name but a few.
Industry.
Cantabria has several industrial estates, a wide energy network (natural gas, hydraulic resources, etc.), an airport and a motorway system. It also has a high-capacity port equipped with modern facilities. All of these facts make the Region a privileged area for the introduction of industry. On top of these possibilities is the support given to investment in Cantabria by the European Economic Community and The Regional Goverment by means of subsidies and financing.
Fishing, agriculture and livestock. The Cantabrian fishing fleet is one of the most powerful in Spain. One anecdote worth mentioning, is that of the workd fishing record held by Santoña for the highest quantity of fish unloaded in one single day: 1,5 million Kgs. (1960 - 1965). Most of the fish brought into Cantabrian ports go to the canning industry, (tuna, "bocarte" or anchoives and sardines), which is later exported the world over.
Most of the agrarian surface is destined to raising livestock, a highly developed and deeply rooted tradition in the area. As an example of this it is sufficient to know that Cantabria is the Region which holds the most important National Agricultural Shows in Spain: the Torrelavega Agricultural Show, with an annual turnover of six thousand million pesetas. Reinosa, Potes and Ampuero also organize livestock markets, although on a lesser basis.
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