Learn everything that there is to know about the fictional town of Santa Ana, where most action of “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony” and “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Destiny’s Theater” takes place!
Santa Ana in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Lost Symphony” by Maxine Foti
The coastal town of Santa Ana can be easily described as of the most beautiful parts of Portugal, much less known than the big cities of Porto or Lisbon, but definitely more special. It consists of two parts: Santa Ana and Vale de Santa Ana, which were separate once, but later, they merged into one city.
Vale de Santa Ana compromises mostly residential areas. The small and beautiful houses dressed with soft color stuccos stand close together, as if embraced. The eternal and immense sea, where the sun seems to sink every evening, can be spotted from any corner in the city.
In Vale de Santa Ana, there’s a plethora of colorful shops, restaurants, and lanterns that cast a warm glow on the streets and sea water, tracing fine, languid reddish and purple marks on the incoming waves.
Because of it, at nightfall, the beautiful city becomes a pink strip that shines, as if trapped, between the sky and the sea, if you’re looking at it from a boat. The view, one of the most superb in the whole country, is an even more special spectacle in the south-eastern area, located a bit higher than the rest of the city.
There, people can enjoy a cup of coffee or chocolate as they feel the gentle touch of the distant sea breeze. They can also watch the stunning panorama with hundreds of boats moored in the docks, and wild vegetation growing between the cliffs that descend into the sea. It is the ideal destination for those who want a respite from the suffocating and polluted scenery of bigger cities.
In Vale de Santa Ana, the sky is typically clear, decorated with cottony clouds which appear to be soft as cream. It has a light blue shade in the day and a dark indigo hue at nightfall.
It’s always limpid, so much that the stars paint the nights with the same clarity that street lamps of the coastal area adorn the shores with their reddish salmon-colored tones.
There are plenty of interesting places to visit in Vale de Santa Ana; the old church in the market square, Sawa’s antique bookshop or the mysterious villa. However, it has to be noted that much busier business areas, can be found in the north-western part of the town, called simply “Santa Ana.”
There, you can find the sports center with a martial arts club or the Jade Dragon Restaurant, for example. Santa Ana is also an ideal destination for lovers of green spaces. Spacious parks and squares full of trees, flowers, and shrubs make it a lovely place. People love especially the trumpet vines which dress the walls of the houses with their leaves. Thanks to the little birds singing, there’s always a peaceful, positive atmosphere in the town.
Look at the map and learn more about different places in Santa Ana:
- The beach: If there are beaches more beautiful than those of Vale de Santa Ana no one has seen them. Visited every year by people from all over the world, with their pale and soft sands which gently slide between one’s toes, and clear waters that take away the worries and are like oases, the beach remains a point of light and purity which is sometimes scarce even in the vast, polluted ocean.
- Linda Perez’ Tenement: this bright yellow tenement with dark shutters stands on a somewhat sloping street, and it’s the home of both Amelia and Edith, who rent apartments there, on the last floor. The walls have ocher color, and entrance doors have stained glass decorations showing orange trees. Apartments have a similar layout, with modest furniture and polished stone floors.
- Edith’s favorite cafe: There is a beautiful and magical place in the eastern part of the city. A café located in the highest area on a plateau from where you can see the stumps of land and dotted spots of grass and vegetation growing along the cliffs that, like a kind of jagged staircase, plunge towards the sea… to the great plain of salt water that seems to stretch to infinity, keeping incalculable secrets and reflecting the thousands of beams of the dying light of dusk while the sun is lost in its waters.
- High school no. 7: Amelia and Edith attend the same high school. It is a spacious place, with corridors, playgrounds, dining halls and lockers. All the windows are kept open, which makes the school a breezy, cool and draughty place. The benches are separated from each other to prevent students from chatting. Teachers mostly dictate notes and don’t care if students understand them.
- Market square: visiting the market square feels like travelling back in time. The bohemian buildings, the ribbons and garlands that decorate them, the stalls and stalls for vendors of handicrafts, food and crafts and, of course, the Gothic church from where the echoes of the mass come out, form a magical picture. They will make everyone forget the time that they’re in, and feel that, at any moment, a knight in armour or a haughty and adorned queen may appear.
- Sawa Bookshop: this small business is located in the east of the city, in a retro-style building. It is a space which radiates a mysterious air of its own, one could say: a portal to a world of adventure and knowledge. Its interior is filled with hundreds of books, old and new, and many stories they tell. Some of them stand on the shelves, others in the wooden foyer and, most secret ones, in the back room, where most publications about mermaids, tritons and life in the underwater world, are stored.
- The enchanted villa: It’s a place in Vale de Santa Ana, mysterious and enigmatic like no other… A dark blue building, with white shutters, and located right on the edge of a cliff and with a door that goes in the direction of the ravine as if the inhabitants who left the place long ago, used it to rush straight into the sea…
- The sports center: nothing less than the meeting point and favorite place for athletes and sportsmen from both Santa Ana and Vale de Santa Ana. Amateurs and experts of different disciplines go there to improve themselves. No wonder, the center is full of courts, gyms and instructors. Always clean, with a trophy cabinet and a karate dojo where martial artists such as Taisuke Hayama, Jayden Katharos, Cristovao Orta and others train regularly under Sensei Michel’s watchful eye.
- Jade Dragon Restaurant: The Jade Dragon, on the other hand, transports its visitors to the Orient. Red lanterns hang from the façade, swaying in the wind, perfumed with the aroma of sautéed food and its dark green walls adorned with golden brushstrokes. The large emerald screen behind the bar depicting the design of a large dragon and a small pond with stones, plants and small fish in the most secluded area of the restaurant are striking. In all likelihood, it’s the perfect stop if you want to enjoy a delicious meal in an elegant and serene setting.
- High school no. 9: located at the other end of the city, different and at the same time the same as any other high school, is the place where Taisuke and Greene study. It has a simple and serene atmosphere, with a touch of discipline and order.
- Lara Lanorth’s Apartment: this apartment is located in a twelve-story building. It has very tall windows, and minimalistic furniture, crafted from glass and light wood. The apartment is filled with countless stylish objects, such as a jewelry hanger.
Santa Ana’s Mermaids Underground in Mermaid Princess Amelia
The Underground: Santa Ana is a city full of beauty, history, adventures, and, above all… it has mermaids. The town has got a mermaids’ community on land, that goes by the name ‘Underground.’ It is said to be ruled by Darren Klar and Knossa Oligaris, but few people know, where it is exactly.
The Underground in Santa Ana is a similar social space where Jayden plans to volunteer with his Division after moving to Portugal. It is mentioned as being visited by fancy rulers due to its location on the Atlantic Coast. Diamanda’s father learns about this Underground and its activities, which helps convince him that Jayden is engaged in meaningful, safe work.
The Underground was thoroughly described in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Destiny’s Theater.” Check the descriptions of the Underground, here.
Santa Ana in “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 1”
Coming soon.
Santa Ana in “Stories from the Undersea World of Mermaid Princess Amelia, Vol. 2”
Santa Ana in Jayden Ptolemeus Katharos’s Story
Portugal is the country to which Jayden’s parents intend to relocate, located in the Atlantic Ocean. The move represents disruption and uncertainty for Jayden, who fears losing everything he holds dear. The country contains an underwater civilization where merpeople live, and it offers the promise of new opportunities, a different culture, and a new language. The towns of Santa Ana and Porto Sereno are specific locations within Portugal that become significant to Jayden’s story.
Santa Ana is a town in Portugal where Jayden will live after his family’s relocation. It is described as a boring town with nothing interesting to see. However, it has an Underground where merpeople living on land can socialize. Fancy rulers tend to visit there because it is located on the Atlantic Coast. The Underground becomes a focal point for Jayden’s volunteer work with his Division.
Porto Sereno is a town in Portugal where Diamanda’s grandfather’s cousin lives. It is located over two hundred and fifty kilometers away from Santa Ana, and there are no good bus connections between them. This distance creates a logistical challenge for Jayden and Diamanda’s plan to meet in Portugal, though Diamanda’s mother’s connection to the area offers hope for their relationship.
Santa Ana in Mewa Zielińska’s Story
In Mewa’s story, Santa Ana is principally portrayed as the town where Mewa’s older sister, Sawa, lives and runs her antique bookshop. Sawa and Mewa would close the shop early, make “little pink foam drinks with the bubbles,” and read novels aloud, creating cherished memories.
It is also the place where Mewa’s impossible romantic longing is centered—the home of her friend, Aleixo, with whom she shared different hobbies and passions such as books and comics.
Santa Ana in “Mermaid Princess Amelia and the Destiny’s Theater” by Maxine Foti
Santa Ana occupies a unique position in the world of mermaid princess Amelia Quintana—it serves as her refuge from the pressures of royal life and her home base during her time on land. This small coastal town in Portugal has become far more significant than its modest size would suggest, serving as the residence of not only the elective princess of Antemidia but also a former queen, various exiled royalty, and the headquarters of a secret mermaid community that operates beneath its streets. The town’s unassuming appearance belies its importance as a gathering place for merpeople who have chosen to live on land, seeking opportunities and connections they cannot find in their underwater kingdoms.
The town’s coastal setting provides essential access to the ocean, allowing merpeople to maintain their connection to the water while navigating the challenges of human life. The beach and whaleport serve as gateways to the underwater world, connecting Santa Ana to distant kingdoms like Icosahedron and Antemidia. The warm Atlantic breezes that sweep through the town carry the salt air that reminds merpeople of their homes, while the human community provides cover for their secret lives and activities.
The Residence of a Princess
Adavan’s House stands as the most significant residence in Santa Ana, a dark blue mansion perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the sea. This distinctive home serves as Amelia’s primary residence during her time on land, where she lives with her father Adavan. The mansion’s cliffside location provides both privacy and security, its dramatic position a constant reminder of the edge on which mermaid royalty lives—balancing between two worlds, never fully belonging to either.
The interior of Adavan’s House reflects the unique circumstances of its inhabitants. Amelia’s bedroom, decorated with a baby-blue quilt and a chair where she keeps Taisuke’s jumper, provides a space for the young princess to retreat from her responsibilities. The laundry basket in the hallway and the front door where shoes are removed upon entry speak to the ordinary, human aspects of daily life that ground Amelia in normalcy. The navy-blue sofa in the living room serves as a gathering place for family moments, while Adavan’s photography equipment spread across the floor for contests reveals his artistic passion. The kitchen, where Adavan prepares meals, represents the domesticity that anchors Amelia’s life on land.
The Community of Exiled Royalty
Magnolia Avenue hosts one of Santa Ana’s most significant residences: Vera’s Villa, a three-story villa belonging to Vera Fehér, the former queen of the Danube River. This elegant home serves as a gathering place for the mermaid community, where Vera hosts visitors and maintains connections to her past while building a new life on land. The villa’s private adjacent garden and large garage provide privacy for a woman who has retreated from public life, while its absence of servants reflects Vera’s commitment to self-sufficiency after abdicating her throne.
The villa’s significance extends beyond its role as a residence. Vera’s decision to move to Portugal on holiday and never leave transformed Magnolia Avenue into a center of mermaid community life. Her work at the Underground, combined with her friendship with Adavan, positions her as a key figure in the Santa Ana mermaid community. The villa serves as a refuge for those fleeing their pasts, a gathering place for those building new futures, and a symbol of the possibility of starting over.
The Gathering Places of the Community
Sawa’s Bookshop, also known as the Antique Bookshop, represents one of Santa Ana’s most mysterious establishments. Run by Sawa, a former princess of Bursztynia who cut ties with her family, this bookshop serves as a repository of knowledge and a meeting place for merpeople seeking information. The interior, glowing with soft orange light, houses books about the Baltic Sea and other topics, while back rooms where books are stored contain hidden stairs and secrets. The bookshop’s connection to the Underground—it used to be part of the community before Sawa ended the contract because of fees—reflects the complex relationships within the mermaid community.
The Jade Dragon Restaurant provides a more public gathering space, where Amelia, Lara, and Greene meet to discuss business and friendship. This Chinese restaurant serves grilled catfish in metal overware with smoldering charcoals, vegetables, and lotus root, its menu reflecting the diversity of the mermaid community and their ability to navigate human culinary traditions. The restaurant serves as neutral ground where princesses from different kingdoms can meet without ceremony, discussing trade routes and political alliances over shared meals.
The Food Truck near the skatepark has become an informal gathering spot for younger members of the community. Located near the lake in the center of the park, this establishment serves French fries that are described as “really good,” drawing merpeople and humans alike to its wooden tables. The food truck represents the blending of human and mermaid life in Santa Ana, where simple pleasures like sharing fries with friends provide moments of normalcy in lives defined by political intrigue and royal responsibility.
Spaces of Training and Connection
The Karate Dojo serves as one of Amelia’s primary connections to human life, a training facility where she practices martial arts alongside humans and merpeople alike. The dojo’s regular training sessions, led by Sensei Michel with his strict no-knee-push-ups policy, provide structure and discipline. The practice hall, where medicine balls are used for strength and reflex training, teaches skills that have proven vital in dangerous situations. The dojo’s significance extends beyond martial training—it serves as a meeting place where Amelia connects with Taisuke and Jayden, building friendships that transcend the boundaries between species.
The Skatepark represents a quieter retreat from the bustle of town, its modest ramps smoothed by years of use and its walls adorned with vibrant graffiti. This “quiet retreat” nestled away from town life provides a space for contemplation and connection, its gentle hum of distant traffic mingling with soft chirping of birds. It is here that Amelia finds Taisuke breakdancing, discovering new aspects of his personality and sharing moments of vulnerability and connection. The skatepark’s ever-changing gallery of bold colors provides a visual feast that reflects the creative energy of the community.
The Basketball Court on the high school grounds, surrounded by netting and deserted during the karate tournament, becomes the setting for significant romantic development. It is here that Taisuke kisses Amelia for the first time, marking a turning point in their relationship. The court’s location on the high school grounds emphasizes the youth of the characters and the importance of ordinary human experiences in their extraordinary lives.
The Lighthouse and the Search for Destiny
The Lighthouse in Santa Ana serves a dual purpose—it guides ships to safety and guides merpeople in their search for knowledge. Its upper room provides privacy for meetings where maps can be studied and plans can be made without fear of interruption. It is here that Amelia, Portia, Jayden, and Poseyda gather with maps spread across the large table, discussing the location of Destiny’s Theater and the role it might play in preventing war. The lighthouse’s prominence above the town provides a sense of perspective, a reminder that even in the midst of daily life, larger forces are at work.
The lighthouse’s significance extends beyond its practical use. It represents the guidance that Amelia seeks—in her relationships, in her political duties, and in her search for meaning. The meetings held in its upper room reflect the growing network of alliances and friendships that will shape the future of the Atlantic Ocean, connections that are forged in this small Portuguese town.
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