Santillana del Mar, lying a little inland of the Cantabrian coast, is a charming little town which preserves the atmosphere of the past and is now protected as a national monument. With its old mansions flaunting their coats of arms, Santillana - now bearing the marks of a thriving tourist trade - gives
a unique picture of the way of life of the old country nobility of Spain, even though some of the houses are now occupied by souvenir and craft shops. The town grew up in the fifth century around the Monasterio de Santa Juliana and was granted its municipal charter in the 13th century. Two centuries later, with the creation of the marquisate of Santillana, many noble families moved to the town and built the palaces and mansions which give the town its special character. Santillana is also known as the fictional birthplace of Gil Blas, hero of the picaresque novel "Gil Blas de Santillane" by the 18th century French writer Alain-René Lesage.
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