The capital of Cantabria, Santander, hosts a beautiful peninsula for leisure, culture and nature. In the Real Sitio de la Magdalena we can enjoy the fauna of its zoo, its imposing Palace, its open-air museum, its wonderful surroundings and much more!
Where is it?
In Santander, 30 minutes from Castilla Termal Balneario de Solares, you will find the Magdalena Peninsula, a beautiful public park with many leisure and tourism activities. Click here to see the route.
Real Sitio de la Magdalena
If we speak of the Royal Site of the Magdalena, we must make a special mention to his Palace.
Located in a magnificent landscape in the highest of the peninsula of Magdalena, was built between 1908 and 1912 by municipal initiative. The city of Santander wanted to give a majestic summer residence to the Kings Alfonso XIII and Victoria Eugenia, which they enjoyed from 1913 to 1930.
Surroundings to the 40s its walls hosted the Menéndez Pelayo International University. Since 1951 these places have hosted countless poetic recitals, concerts, courses and art exhibitions.
In 1977 the City council of Santander agreed with Don Juan de Borbón its purpose of recovering the Peninsula for the city. In 1982 the Palace was declared National Artistic Historical Monument.
Over the years, the deterioration of the Palace led to its comprehensive rehabilitation in the first half of the nineties, its reform ended in 1995. It was inaugurated by King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia.
Currently the space hosts different events, congresses, meetings ... even Spanish TV series such as Gran Hotel.
Why is it interesting The Real Sitio de la Magdalena?
The Real Sitio de la Magdalena, with its 25 hectares of extension besides to emphasize by its brand new Palace, counts on great tourist attractions and of leisure like:
In the Real Sitio de la Magdalena, we can visit its Marine Park with free access. The rocks of the cliff and the direct entrance of the sea water creating natural pools, are the home for diverse marine species like seals, penguins or sea lions.
The gardens of the peninsula of La Magdalena are the work of the French landscape architect Forestier and include, among other monuments, a Memorial to Victims of Terrorism by the Basque sculptor Agustín Ibarrola and a sculpture in honor of Felix Rodríguez de la Fuente, which Appears next to an Iberian wolf.
This open-air museum is an acknowledgment to the marine of Santander, Vital Alsar. Here are the three galleons that he used for his crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, emulating the expedition of Orellana. There is also a replica of the wooden raft that crossed the Pacific Ocean in 1970, the longest voyage ever made in a boat so fragile and whose Spanish godfather was Salvador Dalí, who even painted a sail for the raft.
To enjoy a good view of the Magdalena Peninsula, you can travel on the tourist train popularly known as "El Magdaleno" an ideal option to discover the history and anecdotes of the place.
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