Santander Cathedral Church

Address: Plaza del Obispo, s/n, 39002 Santander, Cantabria, Spain

Website: http://www.catedraldesantander.com

Hours: Daily 9:00am-7:00pm (tower access may have limited hours)

Admission: Free (donations accepted); small fee for tower access

Santander Cathedral is the main Roman Catholic church in Santander, Cantabria, on Spain’s northern coast, with origins in the Romanesque period of the 12th century and substantial Gothic fabric from later medieval rebuilding.

The building began as a Romanesque church in the 12th century and was rebuilt and expanded in Gothic styles in the later medieval period. The interior suffered a destructive fire in 1941 and was restored in the mid-20th century; it later became the seat of the Diocese of Santander.

The cathedral stands in Santander’s city centre in Cantabria, northern Spain, within the historic quarter of the city and a short walk from the waterfront of the Bay of Biscay.

• 1941 fire: The interior was heavily damaged by a major fire in 1941 and subsequently restored, so much of what visitors see today reflects 20th-century restoration alongside medieval fabric.
• Diocesan seat: It is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santander and sits in the city centre close to Santander’s historic streets and waterfront.

What to See#

• Cloister: A largely Gothic cloister adjoining the cathedral with carved capitals and funerary monuments dating from the medieval period; one of the most photographed parts of the complex.
• Bell tower: The cathedral’s medieval bell tower forms a prominent element of the city skyline and contains historic bells and masonry from the building’s earlier phases.

A ten-minute walk from Santander’s Estación de Feve or the city center promenade. The cathedral sits above the Plaza del Obispo, a short uphill stroll from the port area and near the Ayuntamiento.

• Climb the cathedral tower for a tight but rewarding view over Santander and the bay - ask at the sacristy for access times.
• Check for the Gothic sarcophagus in the chapels; it's easy to miss in the dim light.
• Time a visit for late morning when the cathedral's choir rehearsals sometimes spill into the nave.