Nicolas
virtual travel pages
Spain
Cantabria:
Castro Urdiales

On the way from
larédo to Castro Urdiales on the highway A8

Also known as
Flavióbriga after the Roman settlement which stood here, Castro
Urdiales has all the charm of a small seafaring and fishing village
with a rich tradition and tourist atmosphere, aided by the beaches of
Urdiales, El Fraile and Brazomar.

The town
centre, with its characteristic houses with wooden rows of balconies,
is medieval in origin and earned recognition as a Historic Site in
1978. Its main monuments, of different styles and periods, contrast
with the seafaring sobriety of the old village, formed by narrow
streets which are perfect for strolling through.


The
buildings of the church of Santa María, from the 13th to the
15th centuries, the most significant example of Cantabria's Gothic
architecture, and the castle-lighthouse, visible from all parts of
town, are the most representative sights in Castro Urdiales.





The town
also possesses highly valuable examples of cave painting, such as in
the cave of Peña del Cuco, which contains drawings from the
Upper Paleolithic period, with reproductions of deer, horses and goats.

Copyright:
Nicola Obermeier 2005