La Duna and the Botín Centre
As soon as you arrive in Santander you will notice that the bay is central to the city and its inhabitants. The restructuring of the seafront esplanade has led to modern constructions like the Duna Escalonada. Designed by Alejandro Zaera, this is a stepped amphitheatre structure, ideal for sitting and looking out at the bay, and perhaps one of the many international sporting events hosted by the city, or the traditional traineras (a type of rowing boat originating on the northern coast of Spain). The Botín Centre, on the other hand, represents a new era. As well as giving the city considerable cultural importance, the building by Renzo Piano has led to the modernisation of the area of the Pereda Gardens and around the ferry terminal. Clad with 270,000 pearlised ceramic discs which reflect the light, the Botín Centre has two exhibition galleries, an auditorium, lecture halls, and an haute cuisine tavern.
