Santander Spain
by Alex Hiemstra
Title
Santander Spain
Artist
Alex Hiemstra
Medium
Photograph
Description
The port city of Santander is the capital of the autonomous community and historical region of Cantabria situated on the north coast of Spain.
Located east ofGij�n and west of Bilbao, the city has a population of 178,465 (2013).
In the Roman Empire, the city was known as Portus Victoriae Iuliobrigensium. Its present name is possibly derived from Saint Andrew (Sanct Ander) or Saint Emeterio (Santemter, Santenter, Santander), a martyr whose head was brought there in the 3rd century, along with that of Saint Celedonio, according to legend.
In 1187, King Alfonso VIII of Castile made the abbot of San Emeterio lord of the town, and in 1248 Santander participated in the battle for Seville, receiving a coat of arms as reward.
The city owes its existence to the excellent harbour of the Bay of Santander. Santander was an important port for Castile in the later Middle Ages, and also for trade with the New World. It officially became a city in 1755
In 1893 the freighter Cabo Machichaco exploded in the harbour, killing more than 500 people.
In the early 20th century Santander became the favoured summer residence of King Alfonso XIII, who built the Palacio de la Magdalena as the residence of theroyal family during the holidays. The city gained great popularity from this and from the 19th century enthusiasm for sea bathing, and it remains popular with the Spanish for beach holidays today.
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August 19th, 2014
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