Oviedo Historic Architecture (Self Guided), Oviedo

The north Spanish region of Asturias and particularly its capital city, Oviedo, have long been noted for their unique architecture. The medieval part of town, whose ancient walls are still largely intact, contains some truly priceless relics. Among them is a well called La Foncalada, a fascinating example of an effective hydraulic system, dating back to the first half of the 9th century, based on an even older, Roman technology.

During the 9th century, the then small kingdom, Asturias gave rise to an innovative Pre-Romanesque architectural style that was to play a significant role in the development of religious architecture throughout the Iberian peninsula. Indeed, the majority of notable historic buildings here are religious ones, such as the Church of San Tirso and the San Julian de los Prados Basilica, popularly known as “Santullano”, constructed from 791-842. The later temples, like the Gothic San Salvador Cathedral from the 15th century, serve as an illustration of how Christianity has persisted in northern Spain ever since that early period.

Among other representative examples is The Archaeological Museum of Asturias, located in the 16th-century cloister of the Benedictine monastery of Saint Vicente, the San Pelayo Convent, and other religious and secular locations.

The cultural heritage and layout of Oviedo still faithfully reflect its original urban plan. Some of the local architectural monuments have been around for so long that they bore witness to Oviedo’s heyday during the Middle Ages. If you wish to see the most prominent of them and appreciate the town in its entirety, take this self-guided walking tour.