ASTURIAS

Asturias (Oviedo) is the gateway to a region of stunning scenery, splendid beaches,
unspoilt nature and a rich architectural, industrial and cultural heritage. The region’s
beaches are uncrowned and inland there are lively cities and areas of great natural   beauty

.Oviedo, capital of the Principality of Asturias, is a liveluniversity town and has been one of northern Spain’s mosimportant industrial cities since the 19th century, thankto nearby coal mines. In and around the city are relics oearlier eras. This including many pre-Romanesque
churches and other buildings dating from the 8th to th10th centuries, when Asturias was one of the few regionof Christian Spain to remain unconquered by the Moorwho occupied most of the rest of the Iberian peninsulaThe region’s three major cities – Oviedo, Aviles and Gijon are all within 20 km of each other and less than an hour’drive from the airport, which is also close to the region’Atlantic beaches. The region was a cradle of prehistoricivilisation, and remarkable cave paintings may be seen athe Cueva de Tito Bustillo in Ribadesella.Almost one-thirof the region has been designated as a region ooutstanding natural beauty and four nature reserves havbeen given UNESCO Biosphere status.There arcomfortable three- and four-star hotelsinOviedo, Avileand Gijon, as well as good quality hotels close to thregion’s best beachesandnumerous small and friendl  family-run guesthouses and pensions in the countrysi
largest church in Spain and although now dwarfed by lateand greater buildings, it remains of great signicance ithe history of Spanish religious architecture. It is wortvisiting – especially for its magnicent array of gorgeouslcoloured murals.

Cathedral De San SalvadoOviedo’s Cathedral combines Gothic, Baroque anRenaissance elements. Its 15th-century spire looms over medieval basilica built by the rst prince of Asturias,
Fruela I and the cathedral as a whole was nallcompleted in the 16th century, after more than250 yearof construction work. The main altarpiece, depicting thlife of Christ, is in Flemish Gothic style. The cloister ihome to the Diocesan Museum, with a number oimportant archaeological relics.

Oviedo, thanks to its large student population, has a livelafter-dark scene focusing on Calle Mon and the narrostreets either side of it – where there are more than 10spots to drink and chill, many of them with live music.Mosbars stay open until 03:00 on weeknights and are open
as late as 05:30 on weekends, while dance clubs are opeuntil 05:30 or even 07:00, so Oviedo and Gijon are reanight-owl cities.You’ll nd plenty of sidrerias (cider baralong Calle Gascona, where many people start and nisthe evening with a visit to a club in between. El Rosal is the heart of the younger nightlife scene, while the El Cristarea is full of slightly more sophisticated spots attractina more mature audience

 

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SHOPPING Oviedo is famous for its handmade leather and calfskigoods, including handbags, shoes, coats and luggagSome of the top shops are to be found on C/Gil de JazC/Uria and the surrounding streets. For indoor malshopping, El Parque Principado on the outskirts of town, is
a 20 minute ride from the centre (bus L1) and has morthan 100 shops as well as a choice of restaurants and multi-screen cinema.