The port’s history

Panoramic view of the port

Educational justification

By investigating history, we are able to better understand the most recent past and we can find different information in books, documents, from older people, etc. When the period we want to investigate spans twenty centuries, it is more difficult to find this variety of information. Our starting point can be the end, in other words, the present, so that we can then go back in time through specific periods and imagine the changes that took place. The teacher can include some interesting facts about each of these periods to help the students think about the environment in relation to the requirements of the time. Each change in history can be specifically explained using the different periods. The Port of Santander has seen a large number of changes, people, events, etc. in twenty centuries and today, the port continues to form part of history with new events.

Piece of work linked to the following stage areas:

Knowledge of the surrounding area and Spanish language.

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Vista panorámica del puerto

Description of the work to be undertaken:

How?: Work on this file should begin with some photos of the port, or by looking at the port itself, as it is today, so that the students can then go back in time through three specific periods. Using the pictures in the port file, each one from a different period, we can select with the students the most well-known aspects of each period and these can be expanded upon with an explanation. Each of these periods represents an interesting moment in the port’s history: its setting up as a Roman port (File 5), its importance as a trading centre and naval base in the Middle Ages (File 6), and its development as a colonial metropolis since the 18th century (File 7). The files will explain each of these three periods in more detail.

Where?: In the classroom and on a possible visit

When?: After the visit

Using what?: Current photos or pictures of the port. The relevant file. We recommend using the book "La Memoria del Territorio. Atlas Histórico de Santander y su Puerto". (The Territory’s Memory. Historic Atlas of Santander and its Port”). Ed. Santander Port Authority, 1998.

Assessment: For the teacher to decide.

Activity objectives:

To enable the students to understand the historical aspects and changes that the Port of Santander has experienced over twenty centuries.

To help the students better understand three different historical periods at the Port of Santander.

To enable the students to understand how human beings and space adapt themselves over time to the needs and requirements of the social environment.

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