Palacio de Chiloeches, Santoña

Palacio de Chiloeches stands in the coastal town of Santoña, in Cantabria, a place better known for the forts guarding its bay and its long fishing tradition. The palace was commissioned in the early 18th century by Antonio Ortiz de Santelices, Marquis of Chiloeches, and it was inside these walls that his son, Ramón Ortiz Otáñez, a lieutenant general of the Spanish Royal Navy, was born. With its square footprint, three storeys and a hipped roof, the building embodies the restrained grandeur typical of Cantabrian noble houses of that era.

What will you see?

The ground floor is built from rough-hewn stone, with the main entrance flanked by a pair of arched windows on either side — a solid, weighty base for the whole structure. The two upper floors tell a different story: their ashlar stonework is carved with diamond and wheat-ear patterns, a decorative flourish that sets them apart from the sober floor below. This contrast between a plain stone base and an ornately carved upper section is the building's most distinctive architectural feature and is best appreciated from the square in front of it.

The palace has led several lives since it was built. In the second half of the 19th century it served as the town's customs house, before the military took it over and turned it into a military hospital, a role it kept until the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. During the war the building was used as a prison, and afterwards it briefly housed a school. In 1972 it was declared a site of cultural interest, granting it legal protection, and in 2022 ownership passed to the Santoña town council, which has since fully restored the roof.

How to get there?

Santoña sits on the Cantabrian coast not far from Santander, and the easiest way to reach it is by car, using the local road network that links the town to the resorts along the Costa Esmeralda. The palace is located within the town's historic core, so once you arrive, exploring on foot is the best way to combine a visit with a stroll through the old town and along the seafront.

When to visit?

The Cantabrian summer, from June to September, is the most pleasant time to explore Santoña — the mild Atlantic climate makes walking around town and heading out to the nearby beaches easy and enjoyable. Outside the summer months, the town tends to be quieter and less crowded, which some travellers prefer when visiting historic sites like the palace.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit the inside of Palacio de Chiloeches? The building belongs to the Santoña town council, and access to its interior may change as restoration work progresses — it's worth checking current information locally or at the tourist office before visiting.

Why is the palace called Chiloeches? The name comes from the title of Marquis of Chiloeches, held by Antonio Ortiz de Santelices, who commissioned the building.

What makes the palace's architecture distinctive? Mainly the contrast between its plain stone ground floor and the richly carved upper storeys, decorated with diamond and wheat-ear motifs typical of Cantabrian noble architecture.

What was the building used for over the years? It served in turn as a customs house, a military hospital, and a prison during the Spanish Civil War, later housing a school for a short period.