Guide to Oviedo in Asturias

Oviedo, capital of the Asturian region, maintains a cosmopolitan air, enveloped in a noble, cultured and spiritual climate that was endowed upon the city by King Alfonso II when he chose it as his Royal Seat. Here you can find a legacy of monuments, which its Kings bequeathed to Oviedo. A whole millennium of art is represented in the city centre, from the 8th to the 18th centuries.

Places to see and visit in Oviedo

Oviedo has twelve National Monuments, which include the most important examples of Asturian pre- Romanesque architecture. Visitors should not miss the opportunity to visit the renowned Gothic Cathedral San Salvador. One of the relics held by the cathedral is a piece of cloth measuring approximately 84 x 53 cm. The remarkable thing about this cloth is that both tradition and scientific studies claim that the cloth was used to cover and clean the face of Jesus after the crucifixion.

A thriving industry has grown up around its centuries-old centre. Its cultural institutions, the University, Institute of Asturian Studies, Museums, Athenaeum, the ‘Caja de Ahorros Cultural Endeavors’ attract thousands of visitors each year.

Oviedo offers an entirely different perspective of Spanish culture. It replaces refreshing Gazpacho with a hearty fabada, Flamenco with the Celtic bagpipe, and Jugs of Sangria with bottles of cider.

Cider houses, or Sidrerìas, are scattered throughout Oviedo, but perhaps the easiest way to get acquainted with the drink is to go to Calle Gascona, a pedestrian road right outside the old town that is lined with sidrerìas. Although the cider tradition also exists in the Basque Country (Pais Vasco), Asturians claim to be the pioneers of the drink and take particular pride in its pouring and production.

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