Who we are

'Villas del Cantabrico' is an Association founded in 2000 in Santander, Cantabria, in the Northern coast of Spain. (The name of the association refers to the historical 'Villas' or maritime towns of the Cantabrican coast).

The Association began in the summer of 2000 with a group of civil mariners, engineers, historians and University professors interested in recovering the maritime past of Cantabria and Cantabrican coast. Now about 120 people form part of the Association.

Our main project is to build a training vessel. During the first year, we worked hard to spread our idea by publishing a book, a videotape, organizing expositions... This is the model of our project, the brigbarque 'Villas del Cantabrico'.

The aim of this association has been very clear from the beginning:
To build, and to deliver, a training vessel.

Our project is a Cantabrican brigbarque (depicted below) of the late nineteenth century.  Her mission would be to represent our region beyond its coast, and to be open to all the people who want to know closely the sea and the art of classical sailing.

Although the external appearance is strictly classical, the inside would be adapted to modern exigences of habitability and safety.

In January 2002 we came across and acquired the historical ship Bon Temps. She is a 13 m-overall length ketch, built in Mallorca in 1926 (her name means 'Nice weather' in Mallorquin language), therefore one of the oldest sailing ships in Spain. She is made entirely of wood. Her two masts and jib-boom together with an almost vertical stem post and clipper stern, give her an unusual appearance. 

In summer 2002 we took part with 'Bon Temps' in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race (which came to Santander for the first time). At the end of the race, the ISTA (International Sail Training Association) gave us a special prize for our mastering of sailing under hard conditions. See pictures of 'Bon Temps' in the Cutty Sark.

Now 'Bon Temps' works as a small school vessel, sailing every weekend, and taking on board to any person interested. Sailing with us is free and open to everybody who applies for it  and who is willing to learn and to take part as a crew member with us. See some pictures of our recent sailings here.

Villas del Cantábrico is a founder member of::