A Walk Through Santillana del Mar

After lunch in Comillas, we drove 20 minutes east to Santillana Del Mar, billed as one of Spain's prettiest villages. It is the name of 3 lies: not holy (Santi), not flat (llana) and not near the sea (del Mar).

Pick up a map at the TI and walk through the small town. There are essentially 2 roads. Walk up one road to the end then walk back on the other road.

Wash House near Plaza del Abad Francisco Navarro.

It's not unusual to see a mansion with its family's coat of arms. Not sure why Pinocchio hung from this one.

The Collegiate Church and Cloister of Santa Juliana at the north end of town dates from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Lions guard the church.

Plaza Mayor

Town Hall

Torre de Don Borja dating from the 15th century.

Casa del Aguila dating from the 17th century.

It's adorned with a golden bison.

There is a parador in town--the Parador Gil Blas.

The Convento de San Ildefonso anchors the southern end of town.

If you have time, the Altamira Caves are nearby. You'll find prehistoric cave paintings.

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