The Day of Cantabria: History, Significance and How to Celebrate Día de Cantabria

The Day of Cantabria (Día de Cantabria) is certainly not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, 14 August 2022 and most businesses follow standard Sunday opening hours in Spain.

The Day of Cantabria is a significant holiday for local people which is celebrated yearly on the second Sunday in August. This year it falls on August 14. This historic community is situated in Northern Spain with a populace of 580, 229. Its name comes from the Celtic word for ‘highlanders,’ referring to its mountainous terrain.

Cantabria is home to numerous wonderful national parks and museums that display its rich and ancient history. Cantabria’s beautiful architecture is a mixture of arabesque, gothic, and renaissance, causing it a great tourist destination for those who appreciate history. Local people celebrate this holiday to see the value in the rich history and culture of Cantabria.

The Day of Cantabria History

The mayor of Cabezón de la Sal initially recommended that the Day of Mountains (Día de La Montaña) ought to celebrate the way of life and history of Cantabria on the second Sunday in August. Following this proposal, the day was first celebrated in 1967.

The Day of Mountains was declared an event of “National Tourist Interest” in 1971 and “Special Regional Interest” in 1983. Following the establishment of the autonomous community of Cantabria in 1982, the event became known as the Day of Cantabria.

What Do People Do?

Individuals of Cantabria celebrate their language, culture, and history during the Day of Cantabria every year. Many individuals dress in traditional costumes on the day. The fundamental celebrations are in the town of Cabezón de la Sal, yet numerous small towns and villages have their own events. Events include:

• Sports demonstrations.
• Displays of traditional crafts.
• Exhibitions showcasing artwork by artists living in Cantabria.
• Performances featuring traditional music and dance.
• Communal meals of traditional foods.
• Tasting sessions of Cantabrian products, such as apple cider and orujo and cheese made of goat’s and sheep’s milk.
• Agricultural animal shows.
• Parades of carts drawn by horses and cattle.

The autonomous community of Cantabria’s president likewise delivers a discourse during this event, which is highlighted by the display of Cantabria’s flag and the flags of the other autonomous Spanish communities.