Castro Urdiales In Spain, Beauty On The Cantabrian Coast
Castro Urdiales in Spain is a small fishing village with an illustrious tradition, known for the incomparable beauty of the beaches of Urdiales, Ostende, El Fraile and Brazomar. This place, the most touristic city on the Cantabrian coast, is also known as Flaviobriga, as there was a Roman settlement in the area.
Castro Urdiales, a special place
Because of its beauty, its history and its tourist attractions, Castro Urdiales in Spain is a highly recommended destination to visit. In addition, it has a special climate, a humid Atlantic climate due to its proximity to the sea, but this acts as a thermal buffer, preventing excessive temperature rise.
The urban nucleus of this castreña town, with all its characteristic wooden balconied houses and homes, has its origin in the Middle Ages and had to wait until 1978 to receive recognition as a Historic Site.
But the history of Castro Urdiales is much longer. In the area, innumerable testimonies of rock art of the highest value have been found, such as the cave of the Peña del Cuco, which houses engravings from the Upper Paleolithic. There you can see reproductions of deer, horses and goats.
What places to visit in Castro Urdiales in Spain?
We begin our journey through the most beautiful corners of Castro Urdiales in Spain. Take good note of the many charms of this town in Cantabria.
Church of Santa María de la Asunción
It is the most outstanding monument in the entire city. Its style is Gothic and it was built between the 13th and 14th centuries. Later on, an octagonal chapel that was dedicated to Santa Catalina was annexed to its walls.
It has a basilica floor plan with three naves and in its interior the Reclining Christ and the image of the White Virgin stand out. Special mention should be made of the special lighting that its central nave has.
Santa Castle and the Old Bridge
Next to the famous church of Santa María is the castle of Santa Ana. It is located on a rocky elevated area and has the most beautiful views of the town, the port and the Cantabrian Sea.
It is not known for sure when it was built, although some writings seem to indicate that it was built around the 12th century. Some additions have been made, such as the lighthouse that is inside and that dates from the mid-nineteenth century.
Old Puebla de Castro Urdiales
It is the name given to the monumental complex. The City Hall building and its particular streets stand out, where you can enjoy a wide range of bars and restaurants.
In front of the Town Hall you will see the Casa Shlines, built at the beginning of the 20th century in a neo-Gothic style. Another one of the beautiful buildings that you can find in Castro Urdiales.
The hermitage of Santa Ana
The hermitage of Santa Ana is an emblematic point of the city. It is built on a rock next to the sea, it has beautiful views and it is hoped that you will be able to visit the interior again very soon, since at the moment the site is closed for visits.
Residences and castles
As we move away along the Paseo Marítimo de la Puebla Vieja, we come across other monuments such as the Palacio Castillo de Ocharán, clearly Greek in style, surrounded by beautiful gardens.
Not far away you can visit the Castle-Observatory, in a delicate Gothic style. If we continue along this path, we will be able to find residences and lavish mansions, among which the Sotileza villa or the San Martín villa stand out.
After a walk through Castro Urdiales and having enjoyed its monuments, its surroundings and its gastronomy, we can take a break and take a bath at Brazomar beach, famous for its calm waters.
And it is also worth visiting Islares, a district located on the edge of the coast with a great attraction for tourists. From its fantastic cliffs you can practice any type of fishing.
