Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 January 1894 — CITY OF SANTANDER. [ARTICLE]

CITY OF SANTANDER.

Santander, whose opera house wee the scene of the recent awful bomb-throw-ing outrage, is the capital of the yeevinco beating the same name, and is one of the leading seaports of Spain. It has alao the distinction of being the aeat of a biahroprio. Tbe present population ie between 40,000 and 60,000, having doubled during the last quarter of a century, and the commercial prosperity of the town has even surpassed this proportion. The city is situated on the inside of n rocky peninsula which separates it from the bay of Biscay, forming an excellent harbor for two or three miles wide and four mltea long. Tbe entrance Is at tbo eastern extremity of the promontory,and, though somewhat diffloult for sailing vessels In certain winds, has depths of water for the largest ships. Tbs exports consists chiefly of iron ore to Great Britain and wine and olive oil to France. Satander Is divided into two sections, an upper and a lower town. There am very few buildings of any prominence. Tbe cathedral was undoubtedly intended for an immense structure, the original design being Gothic, but it has been an* altered by later additions that but little of tbe old work remains. There ie alaoa theatre, formerly a convent, of aoana pretensions, and a hospital and JeenitaP church, which lay claim to architectural beauty. The city, taken aa a whole, is eaaentially modern, its chief interest lying in its strongly constructed residences, Sand numerous factories. In ndto the above Santander baa n gas work*, phosphorus, sulphurlo add and sail manufactories. Besides being a trading port of nw mean pretensions, Santander is a watering place of great reputation. Thn bathing establishment on tbe seaward side of the strip of land on which the town is built contains all tho latest improvement* and is ranked with the beet continental watering places. There is communication by rail with Madrid, which Is 316 miles distant, and bysteamer with Liverpool, London and Hamburg, as well as with Havana and! all the leading Spanish seaports. There is considerable historical interest centered in this town. The part was is 1763 given the privilege to trade with America and In 1755 was created a “Ciudad.” Charles V. landed in Santander in 1022, when he came to take possession of the Spanish orown, and from there departed. Charles L, at England, embarked on his return Iron his ili-f ated visit incognito in search of a wife. In 1808 the city was sacked by . the French under Soult.