Tourist information - Oviedo
The former Ovetum have been closely connected to the Asturian monarchy since its foundation (8th century), as well as became the capital of the Kingdom. This fact has left an unquestionable medieval flavour in the historic quarter, which usually in modern times has actually been given a carefully-considered metropolitan structure which is easy to move around. An outstanding starting point to approach examples of pre-Romanesque art with World Heritage status, the coastline of the Costa Verde, incredible natural panoramas for all sorts of sporting activities and, of course, a first-class gastronomic culture.
A pedestrian historic quarter makes strolling throughout Oviedo a pleasure, from the University to the Cathedral, and also from the palace of the Marquis of San Félix to the Camposagrado. A walk tormented with sculptures which appear on the pavements on sites of historical significance. To take a rest, there are a great many squares and small squares brimming with chiggers (cider bars).
The tower of Oviedo's Cathedral signifies the starting point of any tour of the provincial capital. Built in the flamboyant Gothic style, its tower, rose window and entrance portico guard the greatest symbols of Asturias. The chapel of San Miguel, or Cámara Santa houses the Holy Chest, the Cross of los Ángeles and the Cross of la Victoria, relics also visited by the pilgrims heading for the holy city of Santiago de Compostela. All these symbols appear on the coats of arms of both Oviedo and the Principality of Asturias.
In the cathedral area we're able to see examples of many of the most remarkable buildings in Oviedo: the church of San Tirso, the Fine Arts Museum or the Archaeological Museum, these latter two housed in the former Velarde Palace and the convent of San Vicente. Given the impossibility of preserving a great many architectural features and sculptures within the pre-Romanesque style (8th- 10th centuries) in their places of origin, in structures scattered one of the valleys, mountains and small villages, pieces from these churches are located in the Archaeological Museum. In this way, we can cover the entire history of art in Asturias from the Bronze Age, along with discovering primitive, Roman, Visigothic and also Romanesque collections.
The innovative pre-Romanesque style of Asturias, a precursor on the Romanesque and Gothic styles, is a heritage unique to these lands. Oviedo itself provides the opportunity to take in the most major buildings, such as Santa María Del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and San Julián de los Prados, all of them National Monuments. These temples and palaces, together with Santa Cristina de Lena, la Cámara Santa and also la Foncalada (a medieval fountain) had been given World Heritage status by UNESCO.
The city of Oviedo consists of interesting squares which help us to get around the city. The Cathedral square leads us into the square of Alfonso II the Chaste, which gathers together the palaces of Valdecarzana and also la Rúa. In Cimadevilla, the oldest part of the historic quarter, we will discover the unusual plaza de Trascorrales, which houses the former exchange, and Constitution Square. The 18th-century City Hall building and also the church of San Isidoro stand here. And next door, the arcaded Fontán Square, a name also presented to the old iron and glass market. The particular coloured houses which stand on this square also give on to the lively square of Daoíz y Velarde. A great many porches open out onto this area serving natural cider.
The University of Oviedo can be viewed as the last building in the historic quarter before coming to the New Districts. Its plateresque façade, from the 16th century, gives way to a cloister which hosts various cultural events all through the year. The nearby façades of the palaces of Toreno and Camposagrado are really worth a trip.
Starting from here is the Oviedo of the late 19th century, within the plaza de la Escandalera and the Campo de San Francisco park. Gathered here are the Regional Palace, headquarters of the Principality's governing body, the Caja de Asturias building along with the old Banco Herrero. All of them built in a “frenchified” style. Also close by you'll find the Campoamor Theatre, where each year the Príncipe de Asturias awards ceremony is held. The Modern Arts Centre is also to be found right here.
Continuing along calle Uría takes you to Oviedo's main shopping area. Taking one of the side streets, Gil de Jaz, leads you to definitely the old Provincial Hospice (18th century), today the site of the luxurious Hotel Reconquista.
At any point on a tour of Oviedo we could sample the region's gastronomy. Our tasting ought to consist of Cabrales, Vidiago or Gamonedo cheeses, Asturian fabes (haricot beans), pixin (monkfish), seafood or perhaps "carne gobernada" (stewed meat). For dessert the choice is enormous: rice pudding, frixuelos (a sort of crêpe), almond cake...
Oviedo, based in the centre of Asturias, provides easy access towards the entire province through a variety of routes. Eastern Asturias boasts fishing villages like Lastres along with summer resorts with a strong historical flavour like Ribadesella and Llanes, on the so-called Costa Verde (Green Coast). Almost in Cantabria, Colombres preserves the heritage of the Spaniards made excellent in America. The intricate orography of the eastern interior gives us treasures like the Picos de Europa National Park and Cangas de Onís, a place closely linked to the history of Asturias. Not to mention emblematic Gijón whose Parador de Turismo is housed in an old mill, Villaviciosa, or to the south of the province, the Redes Nature Reserve.
The Western coast, through to the border with Galicia, offers us seafaring villages such as Candás and Luanco, spectacular beaches such as Salinas and towns spread amongst the sea and the mountains, like Cudillero. All are best places to try the seafood from the Cantabrian. Lighthouses and cliffs make up the profile of the coastline in Luarca, Navia and Tapia de Casariego, between kilometres of beaches. The western interior will take us to thrilling historic quarters such as those of Grado or perhaps Salas, prehistoric caves such as Peña de Candamo, or even landscapes where popular architecture merges together with the natural surroundings, as in the area of los Oscos. The Somiedo Nature Reserve and the Muniellos Biological Reserve are testimony to the natural and environmental wealth of Asturias. And all of them are best for doing environment-friendly sporting activities.
Routes where we're able to see hórreos (square raised granaries crafted from wood and standing on smooth stone legs with a tiled roof to help keep food dry) or Nabob architecture (exotic mansions developed by Asturias natives made good in the Americas) a few of the many options. A branch of the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela, the so-called Northern Road, runs across the entire coast of Asturias, from Colombres to Tapia de Casariego while Oviedo is also connected to León and Lugo. A tour which brings us nearer to the culture of Asturias and its particular influence on the Pilgrim’s Road to Santiago de Compostela through its churches and pilgrims' hospitals.
The Cider Route, concentrating on the region's emblematic drink, covers a place in which apple trees flood the landscape, where we're able to visit factories, lagares (the presses for extracting the juice from the apples) also, the Nava Cider Museum. Those interested in the mining industry of Asturias can tour the Nalón and Caudal vallies for a closer look at the unusual industrial landscapes. The Mining Museum is in El Entrego, in which the visitor are able to see the reconstruction of a mine. Mieres also has also been marked by mining. Nearby are the Sanctuary of the Mártires de Valdecuna and, in Pola de Lena, the pre-Romanesque church of Santa Cristina, a gem of Asturian art.
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