Learn of the talented diving children who were forced to work and catch tips in their teeth in Santander Bay.
The Monumento a los Raqueros is an intriguing public work of art dedicated to the children of the city who had to work at the docks to make a living. These “Raqueros” were made to scavenge and commit petty crimes, before diving into the water to collect their tips, sometimes between their teeth. Examine the sculpture and consider the tragic and unusual lives of these children.
Take photos of the fascinating monument, made up of four bronze figures of young children. Spot the sculptures of a small boy watching another diving into the water. One sculpted boy sits with his legs hanging over the side. Enjoy the excellent views of Santander Bay and spot the array of boats out on the sea.
Arrive early in the morning for your best chance of getting an unspoiled photo of the sculpture, which is fairly popular in the afternoons. Read the plaque, in Spanish, that briefly summarizes the history of the Raqueros.
The monument is on the lively Paseo de Pereda boulevard that leads to its namesake gardens. Gaze up at the impressive stone fixtures, bay windows and terraces of the frontages of the structures that decorate the promenade. Stay for a spectacular sunset.
Note that the Raqueros were immortalized by some of the fictional works of regional 19th-century writer José María Pereda. The title “Raqueros” is still in use by locals today to refer to certain types of manual laborers and lower classes of society.
The Monumento a los Raqueros is on the eastern flank of the Paseo de Pereda promenade in the historic center of Santander. Take a bus to a nearby stop or arrive at the Santander railway station and walk east for about 15 minutes to get here. See some of the other sights in the area, such as the Jardines de Pereda, the Centro Botín and Santander Cathedral.
