The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-11-07
DESCRIPTION OF sANTANDER.
Where the Recent Dynamite Explosion
Wrought Such Fearful Havoc.

QueIlb udNGSs HtAC AfCn lOLh ANOAlQ says
There were few more beautiful and ro-
mantle ports on the coast of Spain THAI
Santander. 1t is situated on the north
coast of Spain, on wide estuary opening
to the east, and separated from the sea
by a rocky prOmontOry, which gives good
shelter from the winds blowing in from
the Bay of Biscay. The coast therea-
bouts is known as the Cantabric. The
whole of the surrounding country forms
one of the integral parts of Old CASTLE
The population of the city of Santander,
which is the seat of the province, is about
As, 900. The seaport proper is one of the
best and safest in Europe Some years
ago the enterprising merchants built the
famous Quay Maliano, the one at which
the steamer was mOored when the explo-
sion occurred.
MORE OF A FRENCH APPEARANCE.
On the west side of the promontory,
facing the waters Of the Atlantic, is the
Sqrdinero. Close at hand, but facing
south, is the bathing esta blishmeut of La
Magdalena, with an abandoned hotel.
The handsome modern houses, ffanked
here and there by old structures, which
lend a romantic charm to the city, give
Santander rather more of French than
Spanish appearance. The Quay Maliano,
with it's cotton bales, hogsheads of sugar
-four barrels and crates of goods about to
be shipped to America, makes a decided
contrast with the old town. Here port
ers work is partly done by women, who
unload vessels arriving with coal from
England, and dried fish from Norway, and
load those carrying away iron ore.
PLEASANT SURROUNDINGS.
The envirous of Santander are pleas
ant, and studded with country houses and
orchards. The fresh air walks on the hill
command beautiful views over the bay
no. 4
charming. The Paseo del Sardinero
leads east to the bathing establishment
aud to the light house; the Alamedas
Primera and SegHnda lead west to the
mineral springs. AT the end of July each
year a grand fair is held in the Alameda
Segunda, which is prettily Illuminated at
night.
The drainage and sanitary arrange
ments are sadly imperfect, though i'm
proving, and the harbor at low water is
sometimes most offensive. The town is
abuudantly supplied with water from the
springs of Melino, fifteen miles distant.
Santander was probably the Roman
Portus Blendium. In l24S st. Ferdi-
nand's feet sailed hence to blockade Sc
vile, which is commemorated on the city
arms. Here Charles Y landed July IL,
1922, to take possession of Spain; and
from the same quay Charles 1 embarked
to quit Spain after his romantic visit to
Madrid. He arrived at Santander on
Sept II, 1923 (old style, i. e. on ST. Mat
thew's day, the 2lstl, and was nearly
drowned on Friday, the 18th (22), when
going on board his ship. He sailed on
the 18th of the same month, and landed
at Portsmouth on Oct. 5. to the mex
pressible JOY of the English nation, al
though twenty-siX years afterward his
then loyal subjects were equally ready to
assist at his execution Santander was
made puerto habilitado Ga port enti-
tied to trade with South America) in 1853,
and in 1775 it was declared ciudad
(city). The place was sacked by Mar
shall Soult with his French troops Nov.
10, 1908. The Spaniards resumed the at
tack early in 1903, but after holding the
advantage for a brief time the French
again became masters of the situation.
They held it until 1912, when they
evacuated.
Santander was the scene of an engage
ment between the revolutionary troops
and the royalist forces, commanded by
Gen. Calonge, during the short and feeble
struggle made on behalf of ex-Queen
Isabel in September, 1868.
THE SEE OF A BISHOP
Santander is the residence of the
provincial authorities and the see of a
bishOp-Sufragan to Burgos-which was
founded Ql74) by Alfonso TX The
cathedral, standing on high ground just
above the west end of the quay, is small
building, chiefly of the fifteenth century
style of architecture, though some of the
original piers and arches retain early
pointed features. 1t has been much
modernized and is of little interest. On
its altar are preserved the heads of the
martyrs San Emeterio and San Celodonio,
decapitated at Calahorra ABOUT the year
800 A. ID.
The church was built on uneven ground,
ana entered from the north by a fight of
steps, or through pointed archway I'M
der the short, square tower. An arched
passage on thee north leads to a fine Ro-
manesque crypt, supported on short, mas
siye piers, with clustered columns, and
dimly lighted from without. Its naves
and aisles end in palygonal apses.
The new Jesuit Church of the Sacred
Heart (Sagrado CoraZont is a structure
of beautiful and striking architecture
well worth a visit
MODERN MOVEMENTS.
During the past few years the more en-
ergetic citizens have obtained control of
the local government, and as a result Sam
lander is to-day provided with improved
streets, water, gas and electric lighting
works. The style of architecture, too, as
evinced in the new dwellings, show de-
clded tendency to take advantage of mod
ern ideas. The city has excellent institu-
lions of learning, club houses, athletic
fields, theaters, hand ball courts and lines
OF horse cars.
One of the principal, If not the leading
industries, is the manufacture of cigars
One factory, established in the old con-
vent of Santa Cruz, employees more than
600 persons, and the yield each year
from this establishment alone is 100 tons
OF cigars There are also textile, per
funery and artificial ice factories. sugar
refneries and breweries. Recently there
nave been established schools for naEiga-
Ton and commercial instruction.
PLEASANT PLACE TO VISIT.
During all seasons Of the year the port
is IloqUented Sy people from all parts of
the world, drawn hither by the natural
beauties of the city and surrounding
country. The natural spring de Ia Salud,
mile distant, is much frequented from
June to October, by persons afflicted with
Visceral disorders. Two miles northwest
OF the city is a charming bathing place of
inc .Sardinero, with tine hotels, villas,
casino, admirable sands and pleasant
gardens. Fast little steamers run daily
between Santander and the hamlets of
fedrenia, Puntal, Astillero and Cespedon,
on The opposite shore. In the summer
IlGy also make excursions up the Rio
Cuoos, an agreeably shaded stream. Geolo-