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Torrelavega
Torrelavega lies southwest of Santander City, at the confluence of the Besaya and Saja rivers and is around 25 kilometers away from Santander by railcar, 23 kilometers off Parayas airport, 50 kilometers away from Reinosa and 380 kilometers away from Spain’s capital city of Madrid.
With a population of more than 50,000, 40 percent of which is aged 23 years old, the city is identified as an industrial and rail communications center and its livestock fair is one of the most famous in Spain.
Industries include the manufacture of chemicals (dyes and sulfuric acid), plastics, and synthetic materials, tires, plastics, paper, wood and chemical agents. Commercial companies fuel the city’s economy at more than 36 percent followed by transport and communications with more than 15 percent, other services at 15 percent and hotels and restaurants at 11 percent.
Among the popular tourist spots in Torrelavega are the rock art in the Caves of Altamira that were discovered in 1879 and declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. It offers polychrome cave paintings made by early man during the Late Paleolithic period approximately 14,000 years ago.
About a kilometer away is the Santillana of the Sea, a villa set in the medieval fashion. There are also impressive “Palace structures” built by Indians.
Another outstanding is the Comillas, built through the efforts of the Marquess de Comillas and constructed by Catalan architect Muntagnac. It has been recently acquired by the regional government of Cantabria along with the church pantheon of Comillas. A single building called the Whim of Gaudi now serves as a restaurant.
Reinosa
Meanwhile Reinosa, capital of the region of Campoo, is located south of Cantabria. Its proximity to the Castilian plateau is completed by its high altitude and its important historical paper like commercial route, between the coast and the rest of the Iberian Peninsula.
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Potes
Also located within Cantabria is Potes, referred to as a “hamlet” but is actually identified as the capital of the region of Liebana, as well as geographic and commercial center of the surrounding five valleys.
In the picturesque village center, visitors can find the chief monuments, namely the towers of the Infantado and Orejon de la Lama, both dating from the 15th century. Also known as the village of bridges, a market day is held in Potes every Monday throughout the year.
Santillana del Mar
Located at the western coast of Cantabria, Santillana del Mar is considered the most important National Historic-Artistic complex in the region, and one of the best preserved in Spain.
The entire town is a national monument and living museum of a medieval, 9th century village, developed around the Collegiate Church of Santa Juliana, although most of the town pertains to diverse architectural styles from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
Here one finds fascinating medieval towers like the Torre del Merino, Torre de Don Borja, impressive Renaissance palaces (Palacio de los Velarde) and Baroque noble homes (Casona de los Villa, Casa de la Archiduquesa de Austria, Casa de los Valdivieso).
Amid the architectural diversity, the town projects unity in style. The area can only be reached through the Calle de Santo Domingo, a single access road which leads to the old quarter section of the town.
The road forks and one branch of the Y- shaped street leads to the Collegiate Church, a major religious monument set in the Romanesque style in Cantabria. Erected over a former hermitage in the 12th century, it preserves a remarkable cloister with skillfully sculpted capitals.
Also located among the stone buildings in Santillana del Mar are three museums. Plus, the renowned Caves of Altamira are located two kilometers away from Santillana del Mar.
Santander really is ideal for the person who wants to enjoy their holiday to the maximum – eating good food, enjoying long walks and taking in gorgeous scenery – not to mention exploring a beautiful and historic city centre. If you find yourself enjoying the Spanish life whilst away, why not consider other Spanish destinations. Booking into one of the hoteles Calpe will allow you explore a multitude of Costa Blancan resorts – from Alicante to Benidorm, you sure wouldn’t be bored!
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