Seminario Mayor, the Former Pontifical University

What it is

The great building that dominates Comillas from the hill opposite: it was a seminary and Pontifical University, and today it is visited as the Seminario Mayor. The outer grounds can be explored freely every day from 9:30 to 18:00; the interior only on a guided visit.

Its history

After building the Sobrellano complex, the Marquises of Comillas wanted to promote a great charitable work. A secondary school was considered and in the end it was given over to a seminary for poor students, run by the Jesuits, which over the years would become the Pontifical University. It was built between 1883 and 1892. The plan follows the usual model of the Society's colleges: the buildings gather around two arcaded courtyards, with the church wedged between them.

The work was directed from 1883 by the architect Joan Martorell, with a highly ornamental Gothic-Mudéjar eclecticism, and from 1889 Lluís Domènech i Montaner added the Modernista decoration: the paraninfo (great hall), the public church, the vestibule, the staircase, the bronze door, the mosaics and the coffered ceilings. The paintings in the paraninfo are by Eduardo Llorens, and those in the church by Juan Llimona and José María Tamburini. The gateway to the grounds, widened afterwards for cars, mixes brick, metallic-lustre ceramics and carved stone in the coat of arms, with the papal tiara and keys.

Hours and price

In November 2026, Monday to Friday and Sundays from 9:30 to 15:30, and on Saturdays from 9:30 to 16:30. The guided visit lasts about 45 minutes, for 40 people at most: €7 from age 13 and €5 from 4 to 12, and also for large families, over-65s or pensioners, the unemployed, students and people with a 65% disability, with proof. Groups of 11 or more pay €5 and school groups, €2. Under-4s and holders of the Cultural Passport go in free. The site's own car park costs €2 in cash, €1 less if you take the visit.

How to combine it

If you buy the Seminary and the Sobrellano palace online, leave between 90 and 120 minutes between the start of one visit and the other. Bookings at centros.culturadecantabria.com and on 942 598 425; if you have not booked, ask at the ticket office. Hours may change without notice because of cultural activities.

At the foot of the hill is the Hotel Solatorre, ten minutes' walk from the centre. From the Seminary, Gaudí's El Capricho and Sobrellano are on the hill opposite, and Comillas beach below, next to the harbour. The tourist office, on Plaza Joaquín del Piélago, has the month's hours and a downloadable map of the town.