Oviedo Asturias
Guide to Oviedo, a city in the Asturias region of northern Spain.
Cities of Spain - Oviedo Asturias
Oviedo - Recently declared Spain’s cleanest city, Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias Region is well worth a visit, an eclectic mix of old and new; streets are lined with every top store possible with views of the lush green parkland and yet just a few streets away the ‘old quarter’ gives visitors a glimpse at its rich and historic past.
This area is said by many to be the very essence of the city. Strolling around its narrow, renovated streets conveys the flavour and aroma of the old city; as if transported through time, to its 8th century origins, to its walled enclosure, to the medieval city, the seat of the first Astur-León kings and the last bastion of Christianity, with the Cathedral standing tall and proud at the centre.
It stands over the basilica dedicated to San Salvador, the building of which had been ordered by King Alfonso II, The Chaste, which in turn was built over the ruins of a church built by King Fruela I, in 765 AD and which was destroyed in 794 AD by the Arabs.
In spite of the fact that the Royal court was transferred to León, many donations were made by successive kings to the Basilica of San Salvador, an undisputed centre of pilgrimage during the Middle Ages, during which period the Romanesque-style Old Tower was built.
Work began on the flamboyant Gothic cathedral in the 14th century, resulting in the previous pre-Romanesque and Romanesque basilica being torn down. The Cathedral took nearly three centuries to build, with the final work being completed in the 16th century, during which time development of the ‘medieval city’ continued; its design still felt strongly today.
Nowadays Oviedo, has kept its cultural historical identity and has developed as an administrative and university city. Commerce has grown to become its leading economic factor. At present, Oviedo is also a city with a more than remarkable international hold thanks to the annual presentation of the ‘Prince of Asturias Awards,’ founded in 1980, held at a solemn ceremony in The Campoamor theatre, and attended by relevant personalities from all over the world.
With visitors able to immerse themselves and embrace Oviedo’s past so completely, it has also been important for the city to move forward and tourists are positively welcomed. The ‘Plan For Tourist Excellence’ is the product of an agreement between the Municipal Government of Oviedo, the General Secretariat of Tourism, the Principality of Asturias and The Hotel and Tourism Association of Asturias with a goal to improve services offered to visitors and foster the growth of cultural offerings of high quality.
The design and creation of a new Conference Centre to be located on the site of the Old Carlos Tartiere football ground aims to bring forward the City, making a magnificent mark of architectural identity for the Oviedo of the 21st century, a mark to be seen in another thousand years to come.
This interesting and illuminating article about the university city of Oviedo, the captial of the Asturias region of northern Spain was provided by kind permission of the Leader Newspaper one of the leading local newspapers of the Costa Blanca, Spain. If you are visiting the Asturias region why not take time out to visit the old fortified seaport of Llanes with its spectacular mountainous backdrop.
Oviedo Links: Oviedo Map - Oviedo Weather
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Asturias Places: Llanes
Other Places to Visit: Vigo - Santiago de Compostela
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