If this summer you are planning a getaway to Santillana del Mar or looking for a different experience in Cantabria, there are many reasons for you to visit the Palacio de Velarde
Still don’t know them? Here are 10:
1. It is the only Renaissance palace that can be visited in Cantabria
Few places preserve their history as well as the Palacio de Velarde. Built in the sixteenth century, it is an exceptional example of Renaissance civil architecture in the north of the peninsula. Walking through its rooms is like taking a trip back in time… but without leaving Cantabria.
2. It is in the heart of Santillana del Mar
The Palacio de Velarde is just a few steps from the Collegiate Church and the main tourist attractions of the historic center. So if you are looking for what to see in Santillana del Mar, it can be an ideal option to complement your visit to the town and live an enriching and unforgettable cultural experience.
3. It is a site museum with original pieces
The Palacio de Velarde is not just any palace. It is a museum where each room preserves its original furniture and layout where you will find works of art, historical documents, tapestries, weapons, sculptures and authentic manuscripts, preserved in the same place where they were used.
4. Immersive technology that wows everyone
The Palacio de Velarde is also the most innovative interactive museum in Cantabria. Through holograms, projections, artificial intelligence, surround sound and scenographic lighting, you will feel like you are truly traveling to the past. A multi-sensory experience where each room is transformed into a living scene that fascinates both adults and children.
5. Here you are greeted by history… in the first person
Along the tour, you will encounter the “ghosts” of the Palace: historical characters who inhabited the building and who are now brought to life thanks to technology. An inquisitor, a duchess, a spy of the twentieth century… They will all tell you the story in the first person, revealing secrets and real anecdotes of their time.
6. It’s perfect for family visits
If you are traveling with children, this visit is an ideal way to introduce them to history in a fun way. There are characters that are activated by the step, portraits that speak and many surprises that will keep them entertained from beginning to end.
7. You will visit spaces that do not exist in any other museum
One of the new jewels of the Palace is its medieval room, where you can see original weapons from the epic, a forge decorated in detail and even a ceremonial throne where you can sit and take photos. You can also see how characters such as El Cid or Hernán Cortés interact with you from their own paintings, in the collection of lithographs animated with artificial intelligence.
8. A different plan if you’re in the area
Are you spending a few days on the coast of Cantabria? Are you staying near Santillana, Comillas, Suances or San Vicente de la Barquera? The Palacio de Velarde is an ideal cultural excursion to spend a different morning or afternoon. The view combines a guided part, which lasts 30 minutes, with a free visit to the top floor, which can last as long as you want. In addition, you can combine the visit with a typical meal in the village or with other activities.
9. An experience with soul, not a conventional museum
You don’t come here just to look. You come to feel. Let’s live. To discover the corners of the palace as the lights change, the voices appear and the story tells itself. It is an emotional, immersive and close experience that many visitors highlight as the most surprising thing about their trip to Santillana del Mar.
10. Because this summer you deserve an unforgettable experience
Whether as a couple, as a family or on your own, this summer you can treat yourself to something different. A cultural and entertaining plan, which will make you leave wanting to tell about it. If you want to live a unique experience between heritage and technology, this is your place.
If you were looking for charming museums in Cantabria, or cultural experiences in the north of Spain, at the Palacio de Velarde we are waiting for you with open doors. Check our opening hours, special discounts and promotions and get your ticket now.
And remember: you don’t come here to see history. You come to live it.
Do you dare to visit us?
