The square was constructed over the ruins of the 1941 fire, which destroyed much of Santander's historic urban core.
The plaza is built atop an archaeological site containing remnants of the medieval city, including parts of the ancient sea walls.
Its official name honors Pedro de Velarde, a Santander-born artillery captain who died in the 1808 Dos de Mayo Uprising.
The square was formerly the venue for the International Festival of Santander until the mid-1970s.
The architectural design was heavily influenced by the Herrerian style, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the post-Civil War reconstruction period.
Plaza Porticada, formally named Plaza de Velarde, serves as the primary neoclassical civic hub of Santander, constructed following the devastating 1941 fire that leveled the city center. Designed by architects Eloy Martínez del Valle and González de Riancho, the square features a symmetrical design with arcaded galleries along its perimeter. It stands on the former location of the city’s medieval port district. The site historically served as the center for cultural life, including the International Festival of Santander before the construction of the Palace of Festivals. Today, the square functions as an open public space surrounded by government and banking buildings. It retains its austere post-war architectural style despite recent renovations to the subterranean levels. The square is officially dedicated to Pedro de Velarde, a hero of the Peninsular War against Napoleon.
From the center of the square looking toward the arched entrances, which frame the symmetrical facades perfectly.
Walk the perimeter arcades to view the detailed neoclassical reliefs and architecture.
Visit the ground-level cafes for a view of the square's center while sheltering from the rain.
Access the central open space for unobstructed views of the surrounding stone facades.
Do not mistake the square for a park; it is a paved civic space with minimal seating and no green space.
