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Asturias

Trips and activities in Asturias Introduction The Principality of Asturias, is an autonomous region with a population of just over one million at a density double the average for Spain. The capital is Oviedo and the two other principal cities are Gijón and Aviles. The landscape of Asturias is one of striking beauty with the mountains of the Picos de Europa, two hundred miles of ever-changing coastline and an interior rich in forests, rivers and green pastures. And one does not have drive all day to get from one to the other. Heritage The richness of the environmental inheritance of Asturias is complemented by that of its history and culture. Starting with the Palaeolithic caves of Tito Bustillo, El Pindal, Candamo and Buxu, then the dolmens and Castros(fortified Celtic mounds at the top of hills) one begins to understand the determination and character of Asturias first peoples. The Romans brought the technology and ideas for an easier life as the thermal baths of Campo Valdes (Gijon) show. The highwater architectural period in Asturias was in the early middle ages during the Kingdom of Asturias.(792 – 910). The outstanding buildings of this time are: Santa Maria del Naranco, San Julian de los Prados, la Foncalada y la Camara Santa de la Catedral of Oviedo – and they were all declared as of World Heritage importance in 1985. Later on, as the region was increasingly crossed by pilgrim routes more excellent buildings were created. Those worth seeing today include:- Monastery de San Pedro de Villanueva (near Cangas de Onis), Santa Maria del Junco (Ribadesella), La Colegiata de Taverga and la Abadia de San Juan Bautista (Gijon). The most important gothic building is Oviedo Cathedral. Many museums in Asturia have excellent collections of jewellery which provide a good insight into the craftsmanship of the region. Festivals traditions cooking One can learn a lot about the local people by visiting their festivals which have religious, artistic, craft, sporting and gastronomic themes. One of the best known is that of Descenso del Sella. The land, sea and rivers of Asturia provide excellent and abundant produce for local cooks. Among the best known dishes is Fabada – a stew made of beans, pork sausage and bacon. This is usually accompanied by cider and followed up by one or more excellent local cheeses. And then by dancing to the Gaita(bagpipes)! History There were humans in Asturias from the early Palaeolithic period, but the most important prehistory was about 4000 BC as seen in the cave paintings of Tito Bustillo. The Celts occupied Asturias and then the Astures who took the boundary southwards beyond it present regional limit. The Romans, although they occupied the region for three hundred years, they were never wholly secure until the time of Augustus. The Visigoths did not fare much better. The Moors never conquered Asturias, unlike the rest of Spain. Here the Reconquest started in the eighth century when a local noble called Don Pelayo established an independent kingdom in 730 which was the forerunner of the kingdom of Asturias between 790 and 910 – when the rest of Spain was ruled by the Moors.

Map of Asturias Countryside and wildlife The richness of the natural environment is greatest asset of Asturias; yet it is not always used to its potential. But such is its importance that a third of the land has be given protected status. The most important areas include: National Park of Picos de Europa, Naranquo de Burnes - where there are protected species such as bears, the country parks of Redes, Somiedo and the Fuentes of Narcea and Ibias. And there is nowhere more important than the Lagos de Covadonga, declared a natural monument. Coastline The Asturian coast stretches for more than two hundred miles and has 159 beaches interspersed by dramatic cliffs and hidden coves. The coast passes through urban resorts and unspoilt protected countryside, while crossing dunes, Jurassic burial sites, natural monuments. In short, everykind of habitat. Bathing, whether from the sandy beaches or from the many coves and inlets is popular, though people do need to remember this is the Atlantic not the Mediterranean and while the surf can be more exciting it merits more respect. Activities and sports The diversity of the Asturian landscape encourages every kind of sport – from gentle walking through beautiful countryside to descending fast rivers by canoe or participating in quad or horseback treks, or the more adventurous activities of surfing, windsurfing, climbing and pot-holing. A further great advantage is that all this choice is easily available and never more than an hour’s drive away. Winter sports can be enjoyed at Valgrande Pajares Getting there and about The airport of Castrillion, outside Aviles, has connections to the principal Spanish cities and weekly flights to London and Paris. There is a 1500 mile network of roads in the region. The motorway connections are from Gijon to Oviedo and Leon (A66) and the coastal route (N632/N634) linking to Galicia and France. There are two rail systems in Asturias: a standard broad track run by RENFE, and a narrow gage which operates along the Cantabrian Corniche from the Basque Country to Galicia. A system, that in one form or another, has operated over 150 years. The two main ports are at Gijon and Aviles. Sources www. asturies.com, encarta, asturiasnatural.com, guiastur.com, idepa.es