Palacio de la Magdalena

The RoyalPalace, inaugurated in 1912, was built in an eclectic style highlighting British influence. It was the place for Royal summer holidays from 1913 to 1930 and was a gift from the town of Santander to its monarchs. Restored just a few years ago, it has recovered all of its splendour and now hosts summer courses run by the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo.

Cantabrian Maritime Museum

This is a great 21st-century museum where you learn in a friendly atmosphere about marine culture. Visitors can observe sea life in a large aquarium. Whale skeletons, remains of galleons, models and fishing tackle put the finishing touches to a trip of great interest.

Museum of Prehistory

Located on the ground floor of the Palacio de la Diputación Regional, in a now larger setting, the museum displays invaluable exhibits due to the wealth of prehistoric relics that have been found in the region.

FESTIVALS IN SANTANDER

25th JULY: Santiago Apóstol de Santander. The capital's festival, which includes a complete Semana Grande of festivities. One of its main attractions is the Taurina show, in which the best bull-fighters of the time participate. Festival of Regional Touristic Interest.

19th MAY: La Virgen del Mar. Patron saint of Santander, she is moved in a procession from the Parroquia de San Román de la Llanilla to her hermitage, located on a small island near the beach, where the traditional procession “romería“  also takes place. This celebration, of a religious nature, attracts many an inhabitant of Santander, who, along with its mayor and the cathedral chapter, commemorate year after year the tradition of renewing their vows to the Virgin.

FESTIVALS IN CANTABRIA

SUNDAY FOLLOWING EASTER TUESDAY:

LA FOLIA

According to tradition, an image of the Virgin appeared in the port of San Vincente de la Barquera on an Easter Tuesday in a boat with no oars, crew members or rudder. To commemorate this fact, the inhabitants, in particular seafarers, take part in a peculiar procession in which they escort their Virgin, dressed in her blue robe, through the streets of the town and then place her in a boat. A large number of boats go with the Virgin, all of them decorated with flowers and flags.

Xacobeo 2010

This Holy Year offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the Camino de Santiago as a place of pilgrimage and a meeting point for people of different nations that has become a symbol of fraternity over the centuries and a corner stone of an awareness of Europe, as affirmed by the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord won in 2004.

The Holy Year Xacobeo 2010 is very important as it symbolises the end of a cycle which has been particularly prominent for the number of pilgrims who have followed the Camino de Santiago over the years. Given the leap years, the Feast of St. James on 25th July falls on a Sunday every 11, 6, 5, 6 and then 11 years. So there won’t be another ‘Jacobeo’ until 2021.

In order to obtain the jubilee, all pilgrims must honour the three traditions:

• Visit the grave of the Apostle in the Cathedral and pray.
• Receive the Sacrament of Confession (either in the Cathedral or anywhere else, two weeks earlier or afterwards).
• Receive communion.

• Visiting the Cathedral while praying.
• Receiving the Sacraments of Confession (two weeks earlier or afterwards) and the Holy Communion.