Santillana del Mar

Santillana del Mar A magnificent medieval town situated on the northern route of the Way of Saint James © Jose Antonio Moreno - age fotostock

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This town is a must-see for people visiting Cantabria or Asturias. It is said that this medieval town with cobbled streets is neither holy nor flat, and doesn't have a beach (in spite of its name), but is still a major attraction within the town, especially because of its extraordinary architectural heritage as well as being so close to the caves of d'Altamira. Among all the buildings, there is one example that stands out: the collegial church of Santa Juliana, with its Romanesque style and added Renaissance and baroque features. The Palace of Velarde and the Tower of Don Borja are other samples of Santillana del Mar's architecture, but the most surprising examples are undoubtedly the great number - and the quality of preservation - of numerous houses and villages. A few examples include: Casa de los Abades, Casa de los Quevedo, Casa de los Hombrones, Casa de los Villa, etc.