Historical highlights

From pre-historic cave art to modern, democratic Spain, Cantabria offers a wealth of historical places of interest that will enthral and entertain serious and casual students of History. Here are just some of the highlights.

Pre-historic caves

A major feature of Cantabria is the number of pre-historic caves that are open to the public, providing evidence of human activity from as much as 18 000 years ago. More information and details of how to book can be found at 

http://cuevas.culturadecantabria.com/

Pre-Roman Times

Faithful reconstructions of life in Cantabria prior to the arrival of the Romans can be seen at two settlements (called Poblado Cántabro), one in Cabezόn de la Sal and the other at Argüeso. You can see artefacts, tools and weapons from the eighth century BC onwards as well as authentic dwellings. Both sites also operate as important centres of research and education.

http://pobladocantabrodeargueso.blogspot.com.es/

http://www.cabezondelasal.net/informacion-turistica/museos/poblado-cantabro/

 

The Romans in Cantabria

At Juliόbriga, close to Reinosa, and located adjacent to the A67 motorway, near Retortillo you can visit a reconstruction of a Roman house (domus) or wander freely among the remains of the dwellings and main streets of this one time administrative capital.

http://centros.culturadecantabria.com/juliobriga-museo-domus.htm

You can walk along what are reputed to be the remains of Roman roads at San Vicente del Monte and Bárcena Pie de Concha while the bridge alongside the campsite at Abiada, on the road to the ski resort, also claims to be of Roman origin.

Medieval Manuscripts

The imposing tower (Torre del Infantado) in the centre of Potes houses a stunning collection of manuscripts attributed to the eighth century monk and scholar, Beato de Liébana. 

http://centros.culturadecantabria.com/torre-del-infantado.htm

 

The Reconquest

There is significant historical debate around how far the Moorish invasion extended into Cantabria but can follow the route that was employed to escape the Muslim invasion and then for the re-population of the meseta and further into Castile as the Reconquest progressed. La Ruta Foramontanos runs north to south across the region and there are helpful information panels (in Spanish) along the way, for example in the villages of the Cabuérniga Valley.

The voyages of discovery - Santoña

This busy sea-side resort and fishing village was the birthplace of Columbus’ principal navigator and cartographer, Juan de la Cosa, who was also the owner of the vessel known as Santa María. In Santoña you will find a monument to the town’s most famous inhabitant while the cartography museum that bears his name is located in Potes in the Picos de Europa.

http://otrosmuseos.com/museo-cartografico-juan-de-la-cosa/

Emperor Charles V

At nearby Laredo, you can witness an annual re-construction of the arrival of the illustrious Emperor Charles V and then follow the royal progress (Ruta de Carlos V) as it makes its way across the region towards his final retirement home at Yuste in Extremadura.

http://desembarcodecarlosv.org/

Napoleonic Wars

Back at Santoña, a walk around the dominating Monte Buciero will bring you to gun emplacements and forts dating from the Napoleonic Wars while the Palacio Velarde at Santillana del Mar also has important links to this era.

Cantabria – an autonomous region

The declaration that Cantabria should become an autonomous region as part of the transition to modern, democratic Spain, took place in Cabezόn de la Sal, where a plaque outside the Town Hall commemorates this important event.

And so much more…..

In addition to these highlights you can also see magnificent buildings constructed by wealthy Cantabrians returning from the Americas (e.g. at Comillas); wander around medieval castles such as those at San Vicente de la Barquera or Argüeso; visit local museums of art, ethnography and culture (for example at Carrejo or Polientes), be stunned by ancient rock churches and necropolises in Valderredible; see evidence of the region’s whale-fishing history (Comillas, again); discover the secrets of dry stone walling at Puente del Valle; walk stretches of the Camino de Santiago; follow an easy route to a famous battlefield from the Carlist Wars at Picόn Carlista; visit the monastery at Santo Toribio, reputed to house the largest known fragment of the True Cross; see a reconstruction of the Cantabrian Wars at Corrales de Buelna...