Tour poster: From Ashes to Algorithms: The Invisible Santander
Red Thread OriginalSantander
All tours in Santander

Self-guided audio tour

Santander

From Ashes to Algorithms The Invisible Santander

Urbanism, Infrastructure & InnovationHistory & Memory
Distance
1.0 km
Duration
51 min
Route
4 stops

Discover how a catastrophic fire in 1941 erased Santander's medieval heart, only to birth one of the world's most advanced Smart Cities. Join Tom, a grounded urban planner, and Claudia, a passionate local expert, as they peel back the physical and digital layers of the city.

Tom Bennett
Your guide Tom Bennett Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
Audio sample

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Discover how a catastrophic fire in 1941 erased Santander's medieval heart, only to birth one of the world's most advanced Smart Cities. Join Tom, a grounded urban planner, and Claudia, a passionate local expert, as they peel back the physical and digital layers of the city. You will explore the scars of the past and the invisible, algorithmic nervous system that manages the present.

Your in-app experience

This is how the Red Thread app brings your tour to life.

Red Thread guides you through the city's stories that you won't find in any guidebook. Authentically and compellingly told by our experts and locals.

Home
01

Home

Get inspired and choose a story that fits your location and your mood.

Search for tours directly
02

Search for tours directly

Use the map to find tours in your city or at a specific address.

Redeem in the app
03

Redeem in the app

Redeem purchased tours or City Passes in the app using a voucher code or QR code.

Start well prepared
04

Start well prepared

Explore the route, stops, and many additional features for your experience.

Listen where it happened
05

Listen where it happened

Hear the stories where they happened.

Ask your guide
06

Ask your guide

Get extra context, deeper details, or useful tips nearby.

Collect discoveries
07

Collect discoveries

Build your travel passport and explore fascinating insights.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Catedral de Santander

The historical epicenter of Santander, severely damaged in the 1941 fire, standing as a monument to the city's physical resilience.

Catedral de Santander

Pic by Jose Luis Filpo Cabana on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

0.42 km • 7 min
2

STOP 2

Ayuntamiento de Santander

The modernist City Hall that serves as the administrative hub for the 'Smart Santander' initiative, processing data from over 20,000 sensors.

Ayuntamiento de Santander

Pic by Frobles on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.33 km • 5 min
3

STOP 3

Plaza Porticada

A rationally designed, arcaded square built after the 1941 fire, symbolizing the city's architectural rebirth and the tension between authoritarian planning and democratic use.

Plaza Porticada

Pic by www.viajar24h.com on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

0.28 km • 4 min
4

END

Jardines de Pereda

Historic gardens that survived the fire, now secretly managed by an invisible network of environmental sensors, blending nature with algorithms.

Jardines de Pereda

Pic by Tiia Monto on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for Tech enthusiasts, history buffs, urban explorers, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of heritage, architecture, and the future.
  • Best time Late morning or early afternoon, when the city's public spaces are bustling and the smart sensors are working overtime.
  • Battery life Ensure your phone is fully charged, as you'll be using the app extensively.
  • Look closely Keep an eye out for the subtle sensors embedded in the streets and streetlights.
  • Pacing Take your time in the Plaza Porticada to simply sit and observe the local life.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Tom Bennett
Audio sample
0:000:00

Tom Bennett

  • Urbanism, Infrastructure & Innovation
  • Northern England

Architecture and urban planning professional. Explains the city's hidden systems – from mobility to water pipes – clearly and vividly.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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