First time in Oviedo? Why not follow my handy Oviedo guide and visit some of the essential sites of the capital of Asturias.
Oviedo is one of the oldest cities in the Principality of Asturias, and was the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Asturias, located in Northern Spain. It has one of the best-preserved old towns in Asturias with buildings that were originally built about 1200 years ago and a lot of stately homes. It was the city of the Asturian nobility, serving as capital of the region since the time of the Kingdom of Asturias.
The Oviedo guide top picks:
1- Plaza de Alfonso II El Casto:
The Oviedo guide starts at the heart of the original medieval city. This square, named after the Asturian king who turned Oviedo into the seat of the Kingdom of Asturias, is not only one of the most photogenic parts of the city, but also the heart of the old city. Nearby, you can also find Gascona street (also known as the cider boulevard) where you will be able to find a ton of Asturian traditional cider places and restaurants. However, on the Alfonso II square there are quite a few places of interest:
Statue of king Alfonso II
- The Royal Pantheon/Chapel of Saint Mary of the Chaste King:
This chapel, which dates back to the IX century, is often overlooked. It is by the cathedral and is where some of the medieval kings of Asturias are buried. It is a chapel that is open for believers to pray and photography is usually prohibited inside, however, visitors can enter and visit the chapel when there are any services ongoing.
- The Cathedral of San Salvador:
Possibly the most easily recognisable part of Oviedo, the cathedral has been a symbol of the city for centuries. Its history dates back to the foundation of the city and is also known as Sancta Ovetensis due to its large collection of important relics. The cathedral, apart from being an impressive architectural feat in its own right that also houses the oldest church bell in use still in Spain (Wamba), is also the home of some very important relics. These relics earned the cathedral the name Sancta Ovetensis. It is also the place where the original St. James Way starts.
- The Balesquida Chapel:
An institution in Oviedo. The tailor’s guild that was essentially founded by a noble lady from the XIII century. The chapel itself is relatively modern, but the donation made by the lady in question (Velazquita Giráldez) catapulted the guild and started a tradition that survives to this day. On the Tuesday after Pentecost, people go to the parks in the city with a Bollo Preñao (loaf of bread with a chorizo inside) and wine to essentially have a picnic.
- Rua 15:
Rua 15, also known as the palace of the Marquis of Santa Cruz de Marcenado, is considered to be the oldest civil building still standing in Oviedo. Originally a defensive tower from the XV century, it is currently a privately-owned and sometimes opens for events.
- The statue of La Regenta:
Installed in 1997, this statue is in honour of one of the most important fictional characters of the fictionalized version of the city of Oviedo (Vetusta), Ana Ozores, the main character of the classic novel by local writer Leopoldo Alas Clarín.
Considered to be one of the most important regional fine arts museums in Spain, it houses works by Picasso, Goya, El Greco, Zurbarán and Carreño Miranda, among others. At the time of writing, you can visit it for free.
- Church of San Tirso el Real:
Last point of interest in this list for the square (though there are more), this church has its origins in the IX century, though little is left from that time. It is often overlooked, but is one of the most ancient parts of the city.
2- Trascorrales square:
Here you’ll find the old fish market and a few statues that celebrate the market past of the city. Statues like the milk maid, the fish salesman and the fish saleswoman.
3- Constitution square:
Also known informally as the “plaza mayor” (main square), it is where the city hall building (XVII century) is located. This building was actually built on the city walls and was built specifically to house city hall. On the square we can also find the church of San Isidoro el Real, an old Jesuit church from the XVII/XVIII century.
4- El Fontán square:
One of the more picturesque squares of the city. The square, located above a dried-up lake, is surrounded by bars and the local outdoor market (market is held every morning of the week). Nearby you can also find the covered market of El Fontán, the last food market in the city built at the end of the XIX century on the site of the old Jesuit school.
5- Old university of Oviedo building:
This beautiful old building harks back to the founding of Oviedo (officially, 1608). Some spaces of the old university building can be visited for free and lets us imagine what it must have been like over 400 years ago. It also still has the scars of two conflicts (the October revolution and the Spanish civil war) that remind us of some of the darkest times of Asturias and Spain in general.
6- Escandalera square:
At the heart of modern Oviedo, it is a meeting point for locals and one of the most vibrant areas of the city. Of not either on the square or nearby you also have:
- The Asturian parliament building, built in 1910 on top of what once was a Franciscan convent, it houses the Asturian legislative body. Visits are only allowed on special days.
- Campo San Francisco park, the green lung of the city, it used to be the garden of the Franciscan convent. It has a bar, lovely tree-covered walks, a little lake with ducks and the famous Mafalda statue.
- Campoamor theatre, nearby you have the main theatre of the city. Built in 1982, it is also the location where the Princess of Asturias Awards are held, arguably Spain’s version of the Nobel prize.
7- Uría street:
The main street of the XIX century expansion of the city, this street and neighbouring streets make up the shopping area in Oviedo. It also has a number of beautiful XIX and XX-century buildings.
8- Basilica of San Juan el Real:
This basilica, which is located where a medieval church used to be, was built at the start of the XX century. It’s a beautiful eclectic building with a lot of history and an “explosive” secret.
9- UNESCO Monuments of Oviedo and the Kingdom of the Asturias (Asturian pre-Romanesque):
During the Kingdom of Asturias, an early Romanesque architectural style developed. These ancient building were mostly built in the IX century and some of them are still in use today. In Oviedo, we find examples of pre-Romanesque architecture in parts of the Cathedral and the church of San Tirso el Real. However, you can visit some of the most important sites of the Asturian pre-Romanesque in Oviedo: the church of San Miguel de Lillo, church of Santullano/San Julián de los Prados and the palace of Santa María del Naranco.
If you liked this Oviedo guide and are interested in going on a tour of Oviedo to learn more about these places, and Oviedo and Asturias in general, why not go on my Oviedo tour?
You can check out my “free tour” of the city that inspired this Oviedo guide here or send me an email via our contact page here.