History
In 1755 Santander received the title of city on the express order of Fernando VI. The 18th century was the one which determined the subsequent development of the capital of Cantabria which experienced an important economic boom due especially to activity in the port and overseas trade with America. In the last three centuries Santander was known as the Port of Castilla for the fact that it was the place of export for the cereal production of the Castillian plateau.
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The city of Santander is situated, according to numerous studies and
historians, on the site that the Romans called Portus Victoriae. The name
of Santander arose from the successive transformation of the Latin name
given to the monastery of San Emeterio (Sancti Emetherii) situated in the
area where today the Cathedral has been built and round about which the
development of the city began at the beginning of the Middle Ages.
A good part of the old city of Santander was left in ruins by the fire
which destroyed the city in February 1941. The accident forced an extensive
reconstruction of the city centre. This runs, for the most part, parallel
to the Bay of Santander. The distinctive Santander topography is completed
with areas of narrow streets and steep hills, characteristics of a city
where past, present and future are combined in a harmonious union.