HISTORY DE COMILLAS

The villa of Comillas is located in the western coast of Cantabria, to 50 km of Santander. At the end of century XIX, due to the spectacular height of the fashion of the summering in this zone, it was the place chosen by the aristocracy to enjoy his vacations. Under that patronage, the important Catalan modernist architects of the moment made here good part of their works.

During the Average Age, the villa of Comillas was well-known like the villa of the Archbishops, since in his municipality they were born numerous who exerted their work in the colonies of Latin America.

The fishing activity of its boats was the greater source of income during those centuries. The discovery and later operation of the calamine mines in 1852, and a summer tourism that continues to the present time supposed an increase of the population that began itself to articulate from the seat of Villa.

With the contributions of Marquesses de Comillas and a series of important Catalan architects like Gaudí, the villa becomes a modernismo example, of which today we can contemplate many examples like the Whim.

Whim of Gaudí - Constructed in 1883, the modernist residence of denominated summer the Whim of Gaudí is the visited monument more of Comillas. Diaz de Quijano, become related with Marques de Comillas was made by this Catalan architect by order of Maximum.

Of arabesque style and with the direction of Cascante architect Colom, Gaudí created this beautiful building in which they emphasize his porch with great columns, the tower and the decorations ceramics of the walls. Each one of the dependencies is located with respect to the sun according to their function, being oriented towards the south the dedicated ones to the matutinal activities.

Sobrellano palace - Also call Palace of Marquess de Comillas, this Sobrellano Palace was construído by the Catalan architect Joan Martorell between years 1881 and 1888 in the lot where estába located the maternal house of first Marques de Comillas.

Of eclectic style under influences of gothic the English, the building structure in three bodies profusely decorated and facades of open galleries. Part of the inner furniture was designed by the own Gaudí.

In him they emphasize the chapel-pantheon, of neogothic style and the mausoleos of marble of the modernist escultores Llimona and Vallmitjana. In our visit we will be able to contemplate to important collections of painting and sculpture. The inauguration of the building agreed with the Vista to Comillas of king Alfonso XII, which gave a definitive impulse Comillas, that became a villa dedicated to the summering.

Pontifical university - the seat of the Pontifical University of Comillas is another one of the most representative buildings of the villa. The main building was begun to construct in 1883 thanks to the donations of Marquess de Comillas, being used at first like Seminary for young people with few resources.

Firstly, Miguel Alcolado and, later, Juan Martorell, raised this rectangular building of three floors, that at the present time is property of Cantabria Box and it only can visit itself in summer until the restoration works finish.

Ruins of the old church of Comillas - of end of century XV.

Seat of the City council - the building of the city council Emphasizes, of 1780, in addition to some mountain typical large houses. Parochial church Century XVIII. In the interior is the Christ of the Shelter, patrono of the fishermen.

Seat of the Three Sewers - Source of Gaudí, tower and houses of century XVIII.

Beaches - In addition to the architectonic elements that conform this villa, Comillas has an appraised treasure. Their beaches take attracting tourists from mid the century XIX, in which the bourgeois society of the time went to the villa to enjoy the beach of Comillas and the one of Oyambre.
Beach of Comillas - Of 1 km in length, it is located in center of the town.
Beach of Oyambre - Located in it laughs it of Rabia, beautiful natural place in the direction of San Vicente of the Barquera.