Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Spain's finest prehistoric art, in the Cueva de Altamira, 2km southwest of Santillana,
was discovered in 1879 by Cantabrian historian and scientist Marcelino Sanz de
Sautuola and his eight-year-old daughter María Justina. It took more than 20 years,
after further discoveries of cave art in France, before scientists accepted that these
wonderful paintings of bison, horses and other animals really were the handiwork of
primitive people many thousands of years ago. By 2002 Altamira had attracted so
many visitors that the cave was closed to prevent deterioration of the paintings.
The nearby
Museo de Altamira
( 942 81 80 05;
ht-
tp://museodealtamira.mcu.es
;
adult/under 18yr, EU senior or student €3/free, Sun &
from 2.30pm Sat free; 9.30am-8pm Tue-Sat, 9.30am-3pm Sun & holidays)
enables
everyone to view the inspired, 14,500-year-old paintings in replica form in a
dazzling, full-size recreation of the cave's most interesting chamber, the Sala de
Polícromos (Polychrome Hall).
Sleeping
LA CASA DEL ORGANISTA €€
( 942 84 03 52;
www.casadelorganista.com
; Camino de Los Hornos 4; s/d €75/91;
)
Rooms at this elegant 18th-century house, once home to the
colegiata
's
organist, are particularly attractive, with plush rugs, antique furniture and plenty of
exposed heavy beams and stonework.
Hotel
CASA DEL MARQUÉS €€€
( 942 81 88 88;
www.turismosantillanadelmar.com
; Calle del Cantón 26; s/d incl
breakfast €187/209; Mar-early Dec; )
Feel like the lord or lady of
the manor in this 15th-century Gothic mansion, once home to the Marquis of Santil-
lana. Exposed timber beams, thick stone walls and cool terracotta floors add to the
atmosphere of the 15 all-different rooms.
Historic Hotel
Eating
RESTAURANTE GRAN DUQUE €€
(
www.granduque.com
, in Spanish; Calle del Escultor Jesús Otero 5; meals €25-45;
closed Sun dinner, Mon lunch & Jan)
The food is high-quality local fare and what sets
it apart is the setting: a grand stone house with noble trappings and nice decorative
touches such as the exposed brick and beams.
Traditional Cantabrian
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