Oviedo

Oviedo is a city in northern Spain, in the Principality of Asturias. According to historical sources, its origins date back to the Middle Ages, but some archaeological remains also suggest the presence of a Roman settlement in the area. The King of Asturias, Alfonso II, made fortify the city and build churches and palaces in the 9th century. Relics from the time of Alfonso II can be found in the Cathedral of Oviedo. In the 14th century, Oviedo became the capital of the Principality of Asturias.
Oviedo is located between the Nalón and Nora rivers and has an oceanic climate with not very hot summers and rainfall almost all year round.
It has a bus station, train station and an airport about 40 km away. It is also an interesting tourist attraction due to its cultural heritage. It preserves the Asturian pre-Romanesque art, which developed between the 9th and 10th centuries, in some buildings declared World Heritage by UNESCO:

  • the Holy Chamber, a chapel inside the cathedral where important relics are kept;
  • the Church of San Tirso;
  • the Church of San Julián de los Prados;
  • the Palace church of Santa María del Naranco;
  • the Church of San Miguel de Lillo.

Other notable religious buildings are:

  • the Gothic-style Cathedral of San Salvador;
  • the Monastery of San Vicente;
  • the Monastery of San Pelayo;
  • the Church of San Isidoro El Real;
  • the Church of San Juan El Real in neo-Romanesque style.

Among the civil buildings of interest:

  • Casa de la Rúa, which survived the fire of the city in the 16th century;
  • the University of Oviedo;
  • the Town Hall;
  • the Baroque-style Valdecarzana-Heredia Palace;
  • the Baroque-style Malleza-Toreno Palace;
  • the Baroque-style Camposagrado Palace;
  • the Baroque-style Duque del Parque Palace or the Marquis of San Feliz Palace;
  • the Baroque-style Velarde Palace, home to the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias;
  • the Campoamor Theatre;
  • the Príncipe Felipe Auditorium-Congress Centre;
  • the Oviedo Congress Centre by the architect Santiago Calatrava;
  • the El Fontán Market;
  • and the remains of the factories that operated in the city.

Among the museums in Oviedo to visit:

  • the Archaeological Museum of Asturias;
  • the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias;
  • the Museum of the Church of Oviedo;
  • the Exhibition Hall Plaza Trascorrales, cultural centre.

The festivals of tourist interest and the Asturian gastronomy are another excellent reason to visit Oviedo.
On September 21st, San Mateo is celebrated with concerts, activities for adults and children, fireworks, and the parade of the Day of America in Asturias. The first Tuesday after Pentecost is Martes de Campo or La Balesquida, a day outdoors eating bollo preñao, empanadas and typical Asturian sweets. And on the occasion of the Christian feast of the Ascension, which is celebrated forty days after Easter, the Ascension Fair takes place, with exhibitions and a market of artisanal products.
Among the typical dishes to try are fabada (read the fabada recipe here), cachopo, and desarme (a cod, chickpea and spinach soup). Apple cider is the typical Asturian alcoholic drink. And carbayones are a typical dessert from Oviedo.

OTHER CITIES IN THE PRINCIPALITY OF ASTURIAS TO VISIT:

  • The coastal city of Gijón preserves traces of its past in its museums and its historic centre, and its medieval and modern architecture in its churches, houses and palaces. It also has a great variety of green spaces; an exquisite gastronomy recognized at a national level; beaches and coves of uncontaminated beauty and much more. Read more about Gijón here.
  • Llanes is a municipality with wonderful beaches and an interesting cultural and natural heritage that includes churches, palaces and buildings. It also features the Paseo de San Pedro, a park located along a cliff offering spectacular views; delicious cuisine; interesting traditional festivals; and a work of art in the port. Read more about Llanes here.
  • Finally, Ribadesella is a coastal town famous for the event that takes place on the first Saturday of August after day 2, the Descenso Internacional del Sella by canoes. The municipality has an important cultural heritage due to the prehistoric sites in caves in the area. To learn more about what to see in Ribadesella read here.