Onwards to find amazing hidden northern Spain
With no real plan of our destinations sometimes , you end just looking at the map and think where shall we go ?
This can also help prove the old adage that the best adventures are the unplanned ones.
Alma, our trusty Adria motorhome, led us to the heart of Asturias, Spain and the historic city of Oviedo.
Nestled amidst rolling hills and green valleys, Oviedo offers a captivating blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy.
Epic Inner City Motorhome Aire
Thankfully the good folks in this town have offered a free parking space for motorhomes and boy is it a busy one and probably best of all it’s absolutely packed to the gunnels with Spainish tourists, so we know we most be onto a good thing here (N 43.3828, W 5.82417).
It is believed that the Asturias region of Spain has been inhabited for millennia by the Celts, but this area shaped in its current form since the 722 Muslim reconquest of the country.
According to legend, a certain Don Pelayo saw the Virgin Mary appear and got inspired to fight the Moors, resulting to him being the first king of Asturias.
The region soon became a refuge for the nobility until the Peninsula was once again under Christian rule.
As we explored its cobbled streets and historic plazas, we were transported back in time to a bygone era.
A Glimpse into History
Oviedo’s rich history is evident in its numerous churches, winding alleyways and hundreds of monuments.
The city’s iconic landmark, the Cathedral of San Salvador, is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture.
Its intricate carvings and stained-glass windows are a testament to the skill of medieval artisans.
The endless streets of historic building make it an easy way to spend a free hour just getting lost in the beauty that this city has to offer.
Also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Oviedo is this rare 9th century water supply system made up of a pond, a chapel and a water channel.
This structure remains the only surviving civil architectural item for public use of the Early Middle Ages.
If you look closely, you can see the Victory Cross on the top, which is the symbol of Asturias.
Oviedo really is a city of sculptures. They can be spotted everywhere!
More UNESCO world heritage list stuff
As is always the case with me, once we stop off for a customary beverage I hit the world of Google to make sure we haven’t missed anything super important and today I came across a couple of must sees !
Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, two pre-Romanesque churches, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and I mear hour or so hike away (uphill but we didn’t tell Michele that part)
Santa María del Naranco
You can find this church on the slope of Mount Naranco.
The King of Asturias, Ramiro I, ordered this building to be built as a royal palace as part of a larger complex that also incorporated the nearby church of San Miguel de Lillo, 100 meters uphill the mountain.
It was completed in 848.
When you walk around the structure, it’s almost impossible to imagine how they were able to build such a detailed building so many years ago.
The arched roof, all made out of stone is possible the most incredible.
San Miguel de Lillo
This Roman Catholic church was originally dedicated to St. Mary, but worship of this Saint passed to the palace down the hill in the 12th century. After that, this church became dedicated to St. Michael.
The church seems very small, and you’re right. it originally had a basilica ground plan with three aisles and a barrel vault. Unfortunately, part of the original structure has disappeared as the building collapsed during the 12th or 13th century.
And the vista onto the city from here is mind blowing!
A truly remarkable city, that somehow despite being a sprawling metropolis managed to give you one of those warm hugs like an old friend.
Paul.