Iglesia San Pedro de Los Arcos (Church of Saint Peter of the Arches), Oviedo

The Church of Saint Peter of the Arches is a captivating stop for any visitor interested in local history, architecture, and Asturian heritage. This Neo‑Romanesque church, completed in 1910, was designed by the notable architect Luis Bellido, who later created Oviedo’s grand Church of Saint John the Royal. Perched atop a gentle rise known as the Hill of Saint Peter, the site has been a place of Christian worship since at least the Visigothic era, likely between the 5th and 7th centuries.

Over the centuries, the church evolved from a modest rural chapel-once called Saint Peter of the Hill-to its 18th-century identity Saint Peter of the Pillars, named after a nearby and once-impressive 41‑arch aqueduct supplying water to Oviedo, before being renamed again due to that structure’s demolition. Civic pride and local memory remain deeply tied to that lost aqueduct, and the church itself now preserves both architectural beauty and symbolic weight.

Architecturally, the current building reflects Bellido’s skillful blend of tradition and revival. Its sturdy stone façade, bold arches, and tall bell tower draw the eye upward-the hallmark of Neo‑Romanesque style-while its proportions evoke both solidity and solemnity. Inside, visitors will find a serene nave, lit through simple windows, with a sense of grounded spirituality characteristic of early 20th‑century revival church design.

The church’s history also marks Oviedo’s darker moments. During the Revolution of October 1934, it suffered considerable damage-shells remain embedded in its south wall as silent reminders-and parish archives were lost in the flames. It was also near here, in the surrounding area, where Aida Lafuente, a young revolutionary activist, lost her life.