Oviedo, Spain, whose name means “Old Town” in Latin, is a real open-air museum. Its attractions will give odds to the most famous European resorts, and nature will give a lot of positive emotions.
General information
Oviedo is the administrative center and second largest city of the autonomous community of Asturias. Date of foundation: 761. The population is just over 200 thousand people. It is considered the largest architectural reserve of the pre-Romanesque period, as well as the most important commercial and industrial base of its region.
Located in the northern part of Spain, Oviedo has a unique climate, completely unlike the weather in Barcelona, Valencia, Tarragona and other warm places. Summers here are quite cool – no more than +20°C, and winters are mild and comfortable (+8… -10°C). As for precipitation caused by the proximity of the Atlantic Ocean, it can occur frequently and at any time of the year.
It is for this reason that most tourists come to Oviedo not for a beach holiday (although there are many beaches here), but to enjoy its ancient architecture and visit the numerous medieval churches that are part of the popular pilgrimage route.
Attractions
The city of Oviedo is famous for its unique and quite diverse architecture, represented by wide streets, old mansions, marble pavements and medieval temples, which attract pilgrims from all over the world. Here you can see several directions at once, which perfectly intertwine with each other and successfully fit into the surrounding space.
The largest number of historical attractions is located in the central part of the city. Many of them are listed not only in the national register of cultural and historical sites, but also in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is unlikely that we will be able to see them all at once, so we suggest that we go through only the main ones.
Cathedral of San Salvador
The Gothic Cathedral, built at the end of the 13th century on the ruins of a pre-Romanesque temple, is one of the most unusual religious monuments in Spain. First, it has only one tower – the local treasury simply did not have enough money for the second one. And secondly, within the walls of this monastery, several artifacts of great religious value are collected at once.
One of them is considered to be the Holy Chambers, which contain a funeral cloth taken from the head of Jesus, and two unique crosses, Angels and Victories, which are symbols of the city and principality of Asturias. No less important is the temple pantheon with a sarcophagus and urns for burial, in which representatives of the local nobility are buried. Well, the main pride of the Catedral de San Salvador de Oviedo can be called the gilded altar, made in the middle of the 14th century, and the Camara Santa Chapel, whose walls are decorated with unique works of ancient Asturian art.
Cost of a shared ticket with an audio guide:
- Adult (18-65 years old) – 7€;
- Seniors and groups of 15 or more people – 6€;
- Young people (12-18 years old) – 5€;
- Members of large families and pilgrims with the appropriate certificate — 4€.
Opening hours:
- November-February: from 10: 00 to 13: 00 and from 16: 00 to 17: 00;
- March-May and October: from 10: 00 to 13: 00 and from 16: 00 to 18: 00;
- June: from 10: 00 to 13: 00 and from 16: 00 to 19: 00;
- July-August: from 10: 00 to 19: 00;
- September: from 10: 00 to 18: 00.
Sunday is a day off.
Mount Naranko
Mount Naranko is a small hill located in the vicinity of the city. This truly unique place has become known thanks to a number of ancient churches nestled on its slopes. It is said that some of them were built in the 8th-9th century. There is also the famous statue of Christ, which we will talk about a little later, and a spacious observation deck, famous for its incredibly beautiful panorama.
Church of Santa Maria del Naranco
Santa Maria del Naranco, considered the most important attraction of Oviedo in Spain, can be found at the base of the mountain of the same name, 4 km from the city. As the largest surviving Asturian temple, it represents the finest example of pre-Romanesque architecture.
Built in 848 by order of King Ramiro I, Santa Maria del Naranco has long been an ordinary country residence. It was turned into a church only at the end of the 12th century, and a few decades later a huge stone altar was moved here, left over from the collapsed temple nearby. Perhaps for this reason, the appearance of this structure is completely different from the traditional abode of God that most visitors expect to see. The interior of Santa Maria is decorated with an arcade of wicker columns and elegant stone carvings made in the form of medallions with images of medieval knights, birds and animals.
In 1985, together with other churches located on the Naranco Hill, Santa Maria was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Today, it continues to be an active church of the parish, which can be accessed both independently (on Mon. before lunch for free), and with an organized excursion group (from Tue. on sat. for about 2-3€).
San Francisco State Park
San Francisco Park, built on the site of an old convent garden more than 1,000 years ago, is the best place for family picnics or walks. “Green lungs of Oviedo”, as the locals call it, occupies a vast territory that has everything for a comfortable stay – sports and children’s playgrounds, a large artificial pond with ducks and swans, cute fountains and a music booth.
The main attraction of the Campo de San Francisco is the numerous peacocks that walk around the park, and the botanical garden, which has more than 130 different types of vegetation. There is also a charming bronze Mafalda and an unusual flowerbed that informs visitors of the current date. Needless to say, both places are the most photographed urban objects?
Sculptures
Among the important sights of Oviedo are a large number of bronze statues located in the most unexpected places. Of course, we will not be able to describe all of them in one article, so we will focus only on the most famous ones.
Sacred Heart of Jesus
The thirty-meter-high statue of the Messiah, towering on top of Mount Naranco, can be easily seen from all corners of Oviedo. The monumental composition, reminiscent of the famous statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Brazil, was installed relatively recently – in 1980. Until recently, the figure of the Savior was crowned with a 5-meter Victory Cross, considered the main historical symbol of the Principality of Asturias. But because of the big wind, they hurried to remove it and put it on a pedestal.
Regent
The sculptural image of the ruler, created by one of the best masters of Spain, is a vivid example of what the locals had in the middle of the 19th century. The prototype of the bronze regent installed on the Cathedral Square was the heroine of the novel of the same name, considered a classic of Spanish literature.
The Asturcons
Asturcons, or Asturian ponies, as they are also called, are another symbol of Asturias, which is reflected in the urban sculpture of Oviedo. Sculptural composition made by Manolo Valdez and located on the square. Escandalera, has not only decorative, but also historical significance. The fact is that horses of this breed have been tamed since time immemorial: first – to help with household chores, then-to participate in the famous Punic Wars. However, with the advent of industrialism, jobs for Asturcons appeared less and less, and soon the breed began to die out altogether.
The Return of Williams Arrensberg or The Indian
Another historical monument that recalls the times when Oviedo residents began to travel en masse to work in South America, and on their return to their homeland – to invest in the construction of educational institutions, hospitals, churches and luxury colonial mansions. The events of those days, which fell on the first half of the 20th century, found their response in bronze on Porlier Square.
The dancer
The two-meter statue of the dancer, created in 2011, is located on Pelayon Street next to the Campoamor Theater. Despite its impressive appearance, it looks quite light and dynamic. To achieve this effect, the author of this sculpture used polished brass and clear, cutting lines in the air. They say that the city authorities spent more than 30 thousand euros on casting this monument.
Monumental ass
In the immediate vicinity of the previous sculpture is another statue, which is called the most controversial monument of Oviedo. We are talking about the “Monumental ass”, made by the author of the already well-known “Indian”. The four-meter-high image of female charms carved from black marble is a rough copy of the Barcelona sculpture created in honor of one of the founders of the Olympic Games.
Uriya Street
Uria Street, which connects the central part of the city with the Gare du Nord, can be called the main shopping artery of Oviedo without exaggeration. Of course, it is here that you can find boutiques of such well-known world brands as Mango, Stradivarius, Women’s Secret, Zara or Pull & Bear.
Among other things, Calle Uria is home to many interesting neo-Baroque and Art Deco buildings.
Woody Allen
The review of the best sculptural sights of the Asturian capital is completed by a bronze Woody Allen “walking” along the National Police Street. In this place, he appeared about 5 years ago – after the famous film director received the Award of the heir to the Spanish throne. By the way, after the loud statements of Mia Farrow, who accused Allen of sexual harassment, the statue was intended to be demolished, but this never happened.
Accomodation
Included in the list of the most visited cities in northern Spain, Oviedo offers a wide range of housing options of various price categories. There are more than fifty hotels, boarding houses, hostels, guest houses and apartments. Most of the local hotels are three-star hotels. The average cost of staying in such a room is from 35 to 60€ per night. No less popular accommodation options are individual apartments, the daily rent of which starts from 40€, but can reach 400.
There are no dangerous areas in the city, and the road to the center takes no more than 20 minutes. The only thing you should pay attention to is the proximity of bars, discos and night clubs. The noise coming from there can interfere with a good night’s sleep. And one more thing! If you plan to explore all the city’s surroundings, look for accommodation in the northern part of Oviedo-it is closer to the bus station.
How to get to Oviedo?
The city of Oviedo is famous not only for its many monuments and other historical attractions, but also for its well-developed transport links. It is very easily accessible from Madrid, Barcelona, Leon, Valencia, Gijon, Bilbao, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela, Seville and other major cities.
You can do this not only by train or intercity bus, but also by plane belonging to Spanish domestic airlines. Asturias Airport is 40 km from the capital. From there, there are regular shuttles and taxis to the center. Check the route schedule, ticket prices, and other important information on the official websites of RENFE, AVE, ALSA, and FEVE carriers.
Useful tips
When planning a trip to Oviedo (Spain), take note of some useful recommendations:
- It is better to move around the city on foot – this is the only way to get into its atmosphere and get acquainted with the main architectural sights. And to make the walk a success, take care of comfortable clothes and shoes.
- The most favorable currency exchange rate is offered by national banks. They, unlike private exchange offices, do without commission.
- Most government offices open around 9am. Saturday is considered a shortened working day, and Sunday is considered a weekend.
- To rent a car, you will need a foreign passport and an international driver’s license. The minimum age of the tenant varies between 21 and 23 years. The rental price is from 20 to 120€ per day, depending on the brand.
- You can pay for purchases and services in the city not only in cash, but also with international bank cards, as well as traveler’s checks. By the way, almost all major hotels, restaurants and shopping complexes operate on a non-cash payment system. But if you intend to visit one of the budget establishments located far from tourist areas, stock up on a certain amount.
- The best time to visit Oviedo is from April to October, when the weather is warm and completely dry in the city. If you want to go to one of the festivals or numerous national holidays, plan your visit for June or September.
- When going to a prestigious nightclub or a fashionable restaurant, do not forget to specify the style of clothing adopted in this or that institution. The fact is that most entertainment spots in the city have a strict dress code.
- Don’t leave your phones, backpacks, or other personal items in the car that might attract the attention of robbers.
- For the same reason, you should not leave unattended documents, bank cards, large sums of money, jewelry, cameras and any other valuable items. Either keep them in a safe or hand them over at reception.
- If you are going for a walk, take a copy of your passport with you, certified by a state notary. You will need it to confirm your identity when checking with the police.
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