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Cathedral Santander, Santander

3.2
#3 of 11 in Historic Sites in Santander
Religious Site Historic Site
Enter the heavy wooden doors of Cathedral Santander, and feast your eyes on intricate stained glass and stately Gothic arches soaring skyward. The first church built on this site, in the eighth century, safeguarded the skulls of saints martyred in Calahorra in the third century. The remains were brought here by Catholics escaping the Muslim invasion. The church as it stands today was constructed in the 12th century and extended over the years leading up to the 18th century. You can visit for a Mass or just for the history and architecture. Don't forget to stop by the 14th-century cloisters just inside the building, where you'll find stained glass work, ribbed vaulting, and other intricate architectural details. Just outside you can relax in the sun by the fountain, or grab tapas at one of the nearby cafes. Plan to see Cathedral Santander and other attractions that appeal to you using our Santander trip itinerary builder.
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Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
390 reviews
Google
3.8
TripAdvisor
  • Lovely old building but all of the history is in Spanish so bring your translator with you and check out the times for visiting as services/confessions are still offered.  more »
  • Not your standard cathedral. Beautiful on the outside but don't expect that 'vastness' when you walk in. I think my kitchen is bigger lol Not something to interrupt your visit to see, although it was ...  more »
  • Entering the Cathedral through its delightful cloisters one enters a building whose simplicity belies a considerable history as an abbey upgraded to Cathedral status recently. Well worth a visit.  more »
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Google
  • Beautiful cathedral with a brilliant insight into the city.
  • Nice! A bit different style .
  • Interesting building. Worth a visit
  • A nice cathedral with an exposition presenting historical facts about the city.
  • A great looking building. Unfortunately it was closed for viewing .
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Where to stay in Santander

For views over the water and a wide selection of restaurants, consider staying near the Puerto Chico, or "little port," area. Lodging on the historical Camino de Santiago en Santander street puts you in the path of many of the city's walking tours. The streets that jut off Alameda de Oviedo are full of markets, cafes, and shops that put you in the middle of activity.
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