Santander
The beautiful capital of Cantabria
We were in the fabulous Bilbao and we did not want to miss the opportunity to stop by Santander, since it is less than two hours away by bus, which allowed us to plan a quick day trip.
We arrived at the station and from there another local public transport dropped us off at the entrance of the huge park surrounding the Palacio de la Magdalena.
Down below, in the distance, the bathers of El Sardinero beach generated an unsatisfied desire to join us. Even though the heat was stalking us, we had to be efficient to get to know the city before returning to the modern industrial city of the Basque Country for a siesta.
We strolled along the Muelle de las Carabelas and the Parque Marino de la Magdalena, before arriving at the palace.
The Magdalena residence is located on the peninsula of the same name. It is an airy building that housed the Spanish monarchy in their summer tours. In fact, it was the summer residence of King Alfonso XIII at the beginning of the 19th century, but today it belongs to the city and was declared a historic-artistic monument. From there, the views of the Bay of Biscay are fabulous.
On the way back, in another urban bus, we started the walk through the Plaza de Pombo, and then headed to the Paseo Marítimo de Santander to contemplate the moving sculpture Los Raqueros, right next to the Real Club Marítimo. The work recreates marginal children diving into the waters of the Bay of Biscay to collect coins thrown into the water. The scene is very vivid, a bit melancholy to tell the truth.
Next, we passed by the Palacete del Embarcadero, a small building from the beginning of the last century, which serves as a cultural center.
An old crane known as the Stone Crane is another highlight of the promenade.
And a little further on, the colossal Botín Center. An art center designed by architect Renzo Piano under the patronage of the Botín Foundation, the family that owns Banco Santander. Its high-rise design means that it is suspended on pillars and columns at the height of the treetops of the Jardines de Pereda.
An elevator offers to go up to the roof of the building, while the sound work of the artist Martin Creed sings "yes yes yes yes" and a "no no no" when ascending or descending. Good fun.
We crossed the park and walked through the narrow streets of the city to get to the Río de la Pila Funicular, the elevator that allows locals to avoid the enormous wear and tear involved in walking around the city and its climbs. The view of the bay on that sunny and hot September afternoon was quite a postcard.
We then went down, passing by the square of Bishop José Equino y Trecu, the gothic Cathedral of Santander and the commercial promenades of the city to reach the bus station and start our return to Bilbao, hot but satisfied to have known the beautiful Cantabrian capital.
