Archaeological Museum of Asturias, Oviedo

The Archaeological Museum of Asturias offers a compelling journey through the region’s ancient past. Established in 1952 within a cloister declared a national monument in 1934, the museum underwent major renovations and was modernized in 2011 to enhance its public spaces and exhibits.

The museum’s permanent exhibition is neatly organized across five thematic sections that chart the cultural progression of Asturias. Starting with Prehistoric Times, it presents Paleolithic art and Neanderthal-era discoveries such as those from el Sidrón cave. It then explores the Neolithic and Metal Ages, the Castro culture of fortified settlements, the Roman era in Asturias, and finally Medieval Asturias, including its unique pre-Romanesque legacy.

Highlights include the famous Vega del Cielo mosaic, medieval altar stones from Church of San Miguel de Lillo and Church of Santa María del Naranco, and a 12th-century sarcophagus of Gontrodo Pérez, mother of Queen Urraca of Asturias. The museum also houses sections dedicated to numismatics, heraldry, medieval epigraphy, and even European medals and armor-providing a well-rounded view of both everyday artifacts and high art.