Cities in Spain: Oviedo

Oviedo (Oviedo, Uvieu) – the capital of the provinces, the administrative and commercial center of the region – is located in the heart of the Asturia, at the intersection of the most important roads. The legend refers the foundation of the city by 761, when two monks – Maximo and Fromestanus – built in a convenient location at the foot of the mountains of a small church dedicated to the Holy Vincent. However, archaeological excavations show that quite large settlements of people in this place existed during the times of ancient Rome.

The main pride of citizens is three small churches built in a unique Asturian style in the first half of the 9th century. It was a period of almost complete isolation of the Kingdom of Asturias, which occupied only 65 by 50 km of territory and was the only part of Spain, which remained under the control of Christians. Since 810, Oviedo was the residence of the King Alfonso II and the South-West Christianity Forp. Nowadays, Camara Santa de Oviedo church (802 g.), Santa Maria de Naranko (the largest of the ancient Asturian churches, IX in., 3 km from the city center) and San Miguel de Lillo (848 g.) Included in UNESCO World Heritage List as unique samples of medieval architecture. Also in this prestigious listing and the ancient Basilica San Julian de Los Prados (Santolyano, IX in.).

Around Oviedo Cathedral (Cedral de San Salvador, XIV., Now, the Diocesan Museum), surrounded by fragments of medieval urban walls, is concentrated by the compact center of the old city with many old churches, squares and some of the excellent government buildings and mansions (the city has suffered greatly during the Civil War, so many of its old monuments that are not belonging to religious objects were destroyed). The best samples of urban architecture include the Fountain of La Foncalad (IX in.), University of Oviedo (1574-1608.), Thodoxa Casa-Consistorial (1662 g.), the chapel of La Ballezda (XIII in.), Monastery San Vicente (VIII in.) in which the Archaeological Museum of Asturias is located, Lianes mansions (XVIII in., His baroque facade is considered the best in Asturias), Kasam-del Suito mansions (XX in.) and dean-Pievinos (XX in., Now there is a conservatory, a monastery and church of Santo Domingo (XVI in., were destroyed in 1934. and renovated in the middle of the XX.) and the monumental complex of the El Fountain market (XVII-XVIII centuries.). You can visit seven urban museums, two theater and concert hall of Princess Letia, and also see the figure of Christ (near Churches Santa Maria de Naranko and San Miguel de Lillo), which is very similar to a similar monument in Rio de Janeiro And also spectacularly lit at night.

Reviews and studies of trips

Oviedo: Old Town, Market, Doromanian Church

Returning to the cathedral, I turned to Rua Street, deciding just stroll through the old town and, most importantly, in perspective dine. Read more →

sveta scorpic | October 2015

Oviedo: New Center and Cathedral

Asturias – one and the few regions of Spain who avoided the invasion of the Moors. That is why there are a lot of early Christian relics and several churches of Dorusan style. Read more →

sveta scorpic | Autumn 2015

Let’s take a sidder in Oviedo

It is hardly worth flying from Barcelona to a rainy and 30 kilometers from the sea Oviedo in search of romance, but if the soul asks Sydra, here the capital Asturias is a clear champion. Read more →