Oviedo

History

The Kingdom of Asturias began in 720, with the Visigothic aristocrat Pelagius's (685–737) revolt against the Muslims, who at the time were occupying most of the Iberian Peninsula. The Moorish invasion that began in 711 had taken control of most of the peninsula, until the revolt in the northern mountains by Pelagius.

The resulting Kingdom of Asturias, located in an economically poor region of Iberia, was largely ignored by the Muslims. In 720, the area where Oviedo is now located was still uninhabited.

It is said that two monks, Máximo and Fromestano (Latin: Maximus et Fromestanus), founded the city in 761. That settlement was soon to be completed with the construction of a small church dedicated to Saint Vincent. Oviedo was established on an uninhabited hillside, with no Visigothic or Roman foundation before it became an Asturian city. Following Pelagius, who died in 737, Alfonso I (739–57) founded a dynasty that reigned until 1037. The Asturian Kingdom was on hostile terms with southern Moorish Spain. In 794, Oviedo was sacked and pillaged by Emir Hisham I in one of his numerous campaigns against the Christian kingdoms.

King Alfonso I is said to have "set in place the whole order of the Goths, as it had been in Toledo, as much in the church as in the palace." His intention with Oviedo was to shape it into a city similar to that of Visigothic Toledo. Once kings had settled in Oviedo, they adopted much of the architectural style and imagery of Toledo. But Oviedo did not necessarily resemble the old Visigothic capital in Toledo. The churches and buildings of Oviedo instead follow late provincial Roman tradition. Since Asturias at the time was an agriculturally poor area of Spain, the scale of the monumental buildings is quite impressive.

Oviedo's rich architectural tradition began with King Fruela I (757–768). King Fruela I of Asturias, the fourth of the Asturian monarchs, was the first decided promoter of the city: he constructed both a palace and a nearby church. This church was later restored by Alfonso II. Oviedo owes to a later king, Alfonso II The Chaste (791–842), its establishment as a capital city and ruling seat. The court was moved here from Pravia and the creation of the Pilgrim's Route to Santiago de Compostela was a major event in the history of Oviedo. It resulted in a church dedicated to The Saviour, the Cathedral of San Salvador. Together with a royal palace, these buildings formed the nucleus of Oviedo. Also constructed during Alfonso II's reign was San Julian de los Prados church, today one of the best preserved Asturian churches.

Geography

Oviedo is located in the centre of Asturias between the Nalón River and Nora River. To the north lie Las Regueras and Llanera, to the south Mieres del Camino and Ribera de Arriba, to the east Siero and Langreo, and to the west Grado and Santo Adriano. The altitude of Oviedo is between 80 and 709 metres above sea level. The city is protected against strong winds by Monte Naranco in the north and the Sierra del Aramo in the south. The city centre is rather hilly.

Parishes

Trubia

Colloto (divided between two municipalities: Oviedo and Siero)

San Claudio

San Esteban de les Cruces

Latores

Olloniego

Climate

Oviedo's climate is oceanic (Cfb in the Köppen climate classification). Its climate is very similar to neighbouring city Gijón, with only slightly wider fluctuations in temperature due to its higher altitude and more inland location. Oviedo's warmest month is in August with an average high of 23.7 °C (74.7 °F). The city centre is located at a lower elevation than the weather station so is probably somewhat milder year-round since both are located in an upwards gradient away from the sea. Its maritime position renders winters much milder than in continental Spain such as in the Madrid capital region, but summers naturally are far less hot than in the interior. There is a slight drying tendency during summer, albeit less than in other areas of Spain.

Demographics

As of 2024, the foreign-born population is 32,460, equal to 14.8% of the total population. The 5 largest foreign nationalities are Colombians (4,233), Venezuelans (3,120), Ecuadorians (2,990), Cubans (1,990) and Romanians (1,901).

Economy

The economy is strongly dependent on the service sector, with many office buildings in the city centre. Oviedo's status as the administrative centre of the region supports a large number of jobs in public administration. The manufacturing sector, which remains important in this part of Spain, is not prevalent in Oviedo itself, but is more important in the adjacent municipalities of Siero and Llanera which lie to the north of the city, between Oviedo and Gijón. In 2009, the municipality had a total debt of €135 million.

Architecture

Oviedo contains a very rich architectural history, with many buildings dating back to the early medieval period. Many of the building projects were undertaken during Alfonso II's (791-842) reign and Ramiro I's (842-850) reign. Alfonso III's contributions are not as well documented.

Alfonso II is said to have built four churches, one dedicated to Christ the Saviour, the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Tyrsus, and SS Julian and Basilissa. There are few traces of the churches dedicated to the Saviour, the Virgin Mary, and St. Tyrsus. The San Salvador church, which was dedicated to the Saviour, is probably beneath the Cathedral of Oviedo. The church of Santa Maria de la Corte, which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was demolished in 1702. As for St. Tyrsus, the church dedicated to him exists today as the church of San Tirso. Only a wall and a three light window are believed to have been built by Alfonso II, the majority of the rest of the church is dated to the 14th century. The best preserved church constructed during Alfonso II's time was San Julian de los Prados.

Two buildings are said to have been built during Ramiro I's reign, one was a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the other construction was a palace. These were built just outside Oviedo, on Monte Lignum. The church Santa Maria de Naranco seems to originally have been a palace, but later repurposed into a church. The church has an atypical plan from other churches at its time, possibly because it was supposed to contain a throne room for the king. The other church built during Ramiro I's time was San Miguel de Lillo.

The Chronicle of Albelda, one of the primary sources used to discern which King commissioned which building, only extends to 883. Because of this, constructions undertaken during Alfonso III's time as king were not documented.

The following is a list of the notable architectural sites in Oviedo:

Cathedral of San Salvador, was erected in 1388 over the previous cathedral, which was founded in the 8th century. The original church was built by Fruela I the Cruel (757), and then built upon by Alfonso II (791-842). The Tower on the south side of the church was erected in 1556. The north tower was never completed.

Plazas and squares

Plaza de la Escandalera, located in the downtown area

Plaza del Fontán, located in the old quarters of the city. It has been used as a marketplace for many centuries.

Corrada del Obispo

Plaza Porlier, located by the cathedral in the downtown area.

Parks and gardens

The main parks and gardens in Oviedo are:

Culture

Oviedo inspired the fictional city of Vetusta in Leopoldo Alas's La Regenta. Other Spanish writers were inspired by the city, including Ramón Pérez de Ayala in Tigre Juan and Dolores Medio in her novel Nosotros los, Rivero.

Oviedo was featured prominently in Woody Allen's movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

Museums in Oviedo:

Archaeological Museum of Asturias

Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias

Camara Santa within the Cathedral houses the Arca Santa and Sudarium of Oviedo

Diocesan Museum

Tabularium Artis Asturiensis

Center for the reception and understanding of Preromanesque Art

Other cultural centres in Oviedo:

Campoamor Theatre, opera house

Filarmónica Theatre

Palacio de Congresos de Oviedo

Prince Felipe Auditorium

Cultural institutions:

Orquesta Sinfonica del Principado de Asturias is the premier orchestra of the region, the Principality of Asturias. This full-time symphony orchestra performs a wide range of the classical repertoire with world class soloists and conductors. It is based in the Auditorio Principe Felipe in Oviedo, but it also performs regularly at the main concert venues in Gijón and Avilés. It is Internationally recognized as one of the best orchestras in Spain, it is also committed to adventurous programing with strong emphasis on education and community partnerships. Rossen Milanov is the music director.

Politics

The current mayor is Alfredo Canteli (PP).

Traditions

The Festive Calendar:

Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos de Oriente: The traditional Twelfth Night parade, where the Three Wise Men of the East and their retinue parade through the city main streets, reaching the Cathedral Square, where they make their offering to the Child Jesus.

L'Antroxu (Carnival)

The Sudarium of Oviedo is displayed to the public three times a year: Good Friday, the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross on 14 September, and its octave on 21 September.

The Feast of the Ascension

La Foguera de San Xuan (Saint John's Bonfire):

La Balesquida or Martes del Bollu or Martes del campo: A public holiday, on a Tuesday in mid-May, where people picnic in parks

The Feast of San Mateo, a popular week-long festival with street food, music, concerts in the cathedral square and the Día de América en Asturias

El Desarme (Disarmament's Day), commemorating the cunning victory of the locals over a Carlist army during the First Carlist War, during the 1830s

Typical gastronomy of the province:

Fabada, bean stew with selected cuts of pork, etc.

Callos, tripe

Carne gobernada, (chunks of meat, prepared with onion, garlic and white wine sauce)

Chorizo a la sidra, (chorizo sausage prepared in cider)

Paxarines, figures made from breadcrumb and egg coloured with saffron

Sport

Formula One

The most famous athlete from Oviedo is 2005 and 2006 Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso, famous for being Spain's only Formula One title winner, having raced for Minardi, Renault, Ferrari, McLaren, Alpine, and Aston Martin. Alonso has his official career and life museum, together with a karting circuit designed by himself, in Llanera, nearby Oviedo.

Sports teams in Oviedo

Real Oviedo, football team. (Segunda División, second division)

Real Oviedo Rugby, rugby union team. (División de Honor B, second division)

Oviedo CB, basketball team. (LEB Oro, second division)

Balonmano Base Oviedo, handball team. (División de Honor Plata, second division)

Oviedo Booling, roller hockey team. (OK Plata, second division)

Real Oviedo Femenino, football team. (Segunda Federación)

Annual sports events

International Showjumping Competition

City of Oviedo Horse Show

City of Oviedo San Silvestre* Outdoor Sports Climbing

Vuelta a España (Cycling)

Vuelta a Asturias (Cycling)

Ascent of Naranco (Cycling)

City of Oviedo Mountain Bike Open

City of Oviedo Cycle Criterium

Base Hockey International Tournament

Prince of Asturias International Rally

National Auto-Cross Championship

International Hurdles Competition

International Chess Open

Boxing Nights

Ascension Bowls Tournament

San Mateo Bowls Tournament

Open de España (Disc Golf)

Transport

Airports

Oviedo is served by the Asturias Airport, about 48 km (30 mi) from the center of the city; it is located in the municipality of Castrillón. The airport is connected to the city by the A-8 motorway, the A-66 motorway and scheduled bus service (Alsa).

Public transport

Oviedo currently has 15 bus lines and one Búho (owl) line. The owl services run on Saturdays, Sundays and on the eve of public holidays, except Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Last two lines (Línea U y Línea V) that connect rural zones of Oviedo were implemented in March 2020 and they only operate between Monday and Friday.

Rail

The Oviedo railway station provides a wide range of long- and middle-distance services, in addition to regional and suburban (cercanías) services operated by Renfe. Within the municipality, there are others rail stations on the Cercanías Asturias network, in La Corredoria, Llamaquique, El Caleyo, Olloniego, Santa Eulalia de Manzaneda, Tudela-Veguín, Parque Principado, Colloto, Argañosa-Lavapiés, Las Campas, Las Mazas, Vallobín, San Claudio, Soto-Udrión, Trubia, Fuso de la Reina, and Caces.

Mining railway

The Oviedo-Villapérez mining railway was narrow gauge railway. It was just over 7 km (4.3 mi) long and ran from Oviedo to the iron ore mines in the Villapérez and Naranco mining areas from 1880 to 1916.

Tramway

From 1922 to 1956, there was a tramway system in Oviedo.

Notable people

HM Queen Letizia of Spain the consort of the Spanish king Felipe VI.

Leopoldo Alas Clarín, 19th century novelist and literary critic.

Fernando Alonso, racing driver, winner of the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 2005 and 2006 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019.

Galo Blanco, professional tennis player and coach

Enrique Castro Quini, retired footballer. He was widely regarded as one of the country's best strikers.

Sabino Fernández-Campo, chief of the Spanish Royal House between 1990 and 1993. Count of Latores and Grandee of Spain

Carmen Domínguez (born 1969), glaciologist

Antonio Gamoneda winner of the 2006 Cervantes Prize.

Ángel González, poet.

Sid Lowe, well known international football journalist predominantly known for his contributions to The Guardian, studied in the University of Oviedo.

Juan Mata, Manchester United footballer. World and European champion along with 2012 UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea

Melendi, pop singer.

María Méndez, footballer for the Spain national team

Michu, former Swansea City footballer.

Ramón Pérez de Ayala, writer.

Twin towns – sister cities

Oviedo is twinned with: