Conjunto Histórico Paseo de Pereda y Calle Castelar, Historical promenade and gardens in Santander, Spain

The Conjunto Histórico Paseo de Pereda y Calle Castelar is a public park and promenade in Santander, built on land reclaimed from the sea in 1805 and opened in 1905. The gardens, dedicated to novelist José María de Pereda, contain over 200 trees, including magnolias, holm oaks, palms, cedars, horse chestnuts, pines, box, yews, lindens and flowering apple trees. A sculpture of Pereda by Lorenzo Coullaut Valera stands among them, surrounded by engravings of scenes from his works.

The gardens opened in 1905 on land reclaimed from the sea, which had served as a port quay from 1805, and were inaugurated during an Exhibition of Arts and Industries. They were named after the Cantabrian novelist José María de Pereda. In 1985 the Paseo de Pereda and Calle Castelar were declared a historic-artistic ensemble, now a Bien de Interés Cultural.

A sculpture of the novelist José María de Pereda stands among the gardens, surrounded by engravings showing scenes from his literary works. These artistic elements tell the story of how this place connects to the region's literary heritage.

The grounds are flat and easily walkable, with multiple entry points from the surrounding streets. Visitors should know that the location is open year-round and works well for leisurely walks at any time of day.

From September to March, the gardens become a natural roosting place for starlings, which gather in large flocks in the trees. This seasonal occurrence turns the location into a bird sanctuary in the city center.