CityBuddy
Catedral de Santander
Best time to visit
On weekdays before noon, light through the Gothic rose window most beautifully illuminates the interior. On weekends and summer afternoons, avoid that time because of group visits.
Budget tips
Entry is free, and a voluntary donation for maintenance is always welcome. Parking nearby is expensive, so it is best to come on foot along the waterfront or by city bus.
Recommended for
History and architecture lovers, Pilgrims, Photographers, Travelers with limited time
Plan your visit
30-45 min
About
Quick facts: The crypt below the main altar is a whole century older than the part above it; a Romanesque lower church is paired with a Gothic upper one. The fire of 1941 swallowed almost the entire old town, and the restored temple still guards the relics of the patron saints Emeterius and Celedonius.
Highlights: The entrance is in fact a descent: the staircase leads you deep into the hill, into a dark Romanesque crypt where the air smells of dampness and old stone. There lies an ancient sarcophagus with the relics of the patron saints, and above it, up narrow spiral stairs, rises the Gothic vault, two sanctuaries leaning one upon the other.
Insider tips
- The entrance to the crypt is easy to miss, so follow the signs to the side door on the side of the building.
- The best shot of the entire facade with its massive towers is from the other side of the square, not in front of the door.
- After rain, be careful on the narrow spiral stairs between floors, the stone is slippery.
- On Sunday mornings holy mass is served, so leave that time for other plans.
Where to Stay in Santander
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