Santillana del Mar (Spanish pronunciation: [santiˈʎana ðel maɾ]) is a historic town situated in Cantabria, Spain. Its many historic buildings attract thousands of visitors every year.

Santillana del Mar
Church of the Colegiata in Santillana
Church of the Colegiata in Santillana
Flag of Santillana del Mar
Coat of arms of Santillana del Mar
Location of Santillana del Mar
Location of Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar is located in Spain
Santillana del Mar
Santillana del Mar
Location in Spain
Coordinates: 43°23′36″N 4°6′17″W / 43.39333°N 4.10472°W / 43.39333; -4.10472
Country Spain
Autonomous community Cantabria
ProvinceCantabria
ComarcaWestern coast
Judicial districtTorrelavega
CapitalSantillana del Mar
Government
 • AlcaldeIsidro Rábago León (2007) (PSC-PSOE)
Area
 • Total
28.46 km2 (10.99 sq mi)
Elevation
82 m (269 ft)
Highest elevation
275 m (902 ft)
Lowest elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Population
 (2018)[1]
 • Total
4,172
 • Density150/km2 (380/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
39330
Official language(s)Spanish
TypeNon-movable
CriteriaHistoric ensemble
Designated27 July 1943
Reference no.RI-53-0000008

There is an old saying that Santillana del Mar is The Town of Three Lies, since it is neither a Saint (Santo), nor flat (llana), nor is it by the sea (Mar) as implied by its name. However, the name actually derives from Santa Juliana (or Santa Illana) whose remains are kept in the Colegiata, a Romanesque church and former Benedictine monastery. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Cave of Altamira is nearby.[2]

Localities

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The 3,983 inhabitants (INE, 2006) are distributed as follows:

Utilities

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Wi-Fi hotspot

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The municipality of Santillana del Mar has launched the creation of free internet access in the village for both residents and tourists, and has promised broadband connection for the entire municipality. [3]

Notable people

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Santillana (born 1952), footballer

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In literature

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The protagonist of the novel Gil Blas was born in Santillana.

In his philosophical novel La Nausée, Jean-Paul Sartre described Santillana as the prettiest village in Spain ("le plus joli village d'Espagne").

References

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  1. ^ Municipal Register of Spain 2018. National Statistics Institute.
  2. ^ http://en.museodealtamira.mcu.es/PreparaLaVisita/index.html
  3. ^ El Diario Montañés; Free Wi-Fi in Santillana del Mar, January 2, 2011 (Accessed March 2, 2011).
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