Oviedo Attractions
Oviedo lies on the slopes of a hill some 30km/20mi from the north coast of Spain, on a fertile plateau enclosed by the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains. Chief town of the province, it is also the spiritual and intellectual center of Asturias, the see of a bishop and a university town. Its economy is centered on mining and industry (arms production). The town itself is not particularly attractive, though there are some pleasant squares around the cathedral.
History
The town grew up in the eighth Century around a monastery on the site of ancient Ovetum. Alfonso II moved the Asturian court to Oviedo, which from 810 to 924 was capital of the kingdom then warring against the Moors, until Asturias was united with León and Castile. Oviedo's development into an industrial town started in the 18th century, when mining began in the surrounding coalfield and the Royal Arms Manufactory was established. Most of the town dates from this period. During the 1934 rising of the Asturian miners and the almost two-year-long siege of the town by Republican forces during the Civil War (1936-37) many buildings, including the Cámara Santa, the cathedral and the university, were severely damaged. Since then a whole new district has been developed to the southwest of the town.
History
The town grew up in the eighth Century around a monastery on the site of ancient Ovetum. Alfonso II moved the Asturian court to Oviedo, which from 810 to 924 was capital of the kingdom then warring against the Moors, until Asturias was united with León and Castile. Oviedo's development into an industrial town started in the 18th century, when mining began in the surrounding coalfield and the Royal Arms Manufactory was established. Most of the town dates from this period. During the 1934 rising of the Asturian miners and the almost two-year-long siege of the town by Republican forces during the Civil War (1936-37) many buildings, including the Cámara Santa, the cathedral and the university, were severely damaged. Since then a whole new district has been developed to the southwest of the town.
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Basílica del Salvador
The Basílica del Salvador is a 13th to 14th C Gothic cathedral with a 16th C tower standing at 82 m.
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Naranco, Spain
(Near Oviedo)
This hill town in the Sierra de Naranco is home to two interesting historical churches.
Archeological Museum
Behind the Oviedo Cathedral, in the cloister of the old Convento de San Vicente (founded in the eighth century and rebuilt in the 15th), is the Archeological Museum. The ground floor is devoted to pre-Romanesque and Romanesque art, mainly from Asturias, including the altar-stone of Santa María de Naranco; on the first floor are Roman coins, sculpture, mosaics and other relics of the period of Roman rule in Iberia; and the second floor displays Stone Age material from the surrounding area.
Bishop's Palace
On the south side of the cathedral in Oviedo can be seen the Bishop's Palace (16th-18th century)
Casa de la Rúa
In the middle of the southeast side of the Plaza de Alfonso II is Oviedo's oldest secular building, the Casa de la Rúa (15th century), adjoining which is the church of San Tirso, originally dating from the ninth century but rebuilt in its present form in the 18th century.
Museum of Fine Art
To the south of San Tirso, in Calle de Santa Ana, is the Baroque Palacio de Velarde, now occupied by the Provincial Museum of Art, with a collection which includes works of the Renaissance and Baroque periods as well as pictures by contemporary Asturian painters.
Palacio de Valdecarzana
At the west corner of the Plaza de Alfonso stands the 17th century Palacio de Valdecarzana.
Parque de San Francisco
The central feature of Oviedo is the Parque de San Francisco (area 6 hectares/15 acres), at the northeast corner of which are the Plaza de la Escandalera and the premises of the Consejo Regional de Asturias. To the north, in Plaza del Progreso, is the Theater. From the Plaza de la Escandalera Calle de Uría, Oviedo's main street, which is particularly busy in the afternoon and evening, runs northwest to the Northern Station (Estación del Norte).
Plaza Daoiz y Velarde
Southwest of the Plaza Mayor in Oviedo the quiet Plaza Daoiz y Velarde is surrounded by Baroque houses.
Plaza Mayor
From the Plaza de la Escandalera the busy Calle de Fruela runs southeast to the arcaded Plaza Mayor. At the southwest corner of the square is the former Jesuit church of San Isidoro (1578), and on its north side the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall; by Juan de Naveda, 1662).
Plaza Porlier
Beyond the Plaza de Alfonso, in the little Plaza Porlier, the 18th century Palacio de Camposagrado, now the Audiencia (Law Courts). Also in Plaza Porlier is the 17th century Palacio de Toreno.
Plaza de Alfonso
In front of the cathedral is the spacious Plaza de Alfonso II, in which are a number of notable buildings.
San Roman - Cueva de Candamo, Spain
(Near Oviedo)
Cueva de Cándamo at San Román is located 20km/12.5mi northwest of Oviedo. Features: A series of chambers leading to a large hall; some 60 figures of animals (paintings and engravings); fine sinter formations.
The paintings here are thought to date back to the Upper Paleolithic period, some 18,000 years ago.
The paintings here are thought to date back to the Upper Paleolithic period, some 18,000 years ago.
Santa María la Real
From the Archeological Museum a passage leads into the Plaza Feijido, on the left of which stands the late Renaissance church of Santa María la Real (1592), with the tombs of prominent local people.
Santullano
In the outlying district of Santullano (reached by way of Calle G. Conde, on the Gijón and Avilés road) is the largest pre-Romanesque church in Spain, San Julián de los Prados, measuring 25 by 30m (82 by 98ft). An unusual feature is the two-level apse, with the altar on the lower level and a concealed chamber above it.
University
Just south of the Plaza Porlier, at a street intersection, is the plain building occupied by the University, founded in 1608 by Archbishop Fernando Valdés Sala (with a bronze statue of the archbishop in the courtyard).
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