Avilés: Culture and History on the Ría de Avilés

Avilés displays its history directly in the cityscape: The streets and buildings of the old town have been designated by the Spanish state as a Historic-Artistic Ensemble. In the 11th century, King Alfonso VI granted the town a fuero. The expansion of the town of Avilés beyond the medieval citadel led to the creation of today’s Plaza de España in the 17th century.

Culture

The Centro Niemeyer is located between the Ría de Avilés and the city’s historic centre. It is the only work in Spain by a renowned Brazilian architect. The Centro Niemeyer offers a multidisciplinary cultural programme featuring music, film, theatre, dance, exhibitions and spoken word.

The Museo de la Historia Urbana de Avilés is located in Calle de La Ferrería in the historic centre of Avilés. The museum offers visitors a historical tour summarising the history of Avilés. The MHUA presentation is divided into the chapters “medieval town”, “modern town”, “bourgeois city” and “industrial city”.

Cityscape

The Palacio de Valdecarzana is located in the historic centre of Avilés on Calle de La Ferrería and is the oldest civilian building in Asturias. The Barrio de Sabugo preserves the traditional atmosphere of Avilés’s former fishing districts. The Iglesia de los Padres Franciscanos preserves medieval traces, including a Romanesque façade.

The Plaza de los Hermanos Orbón, also known as Plaza del Mercado, was built in the second half of the 19th century and is surrounded by galleries with iron and wooden balconies.

The Teatro Palacio Valdés opened in 1920 and reopened in 1992 after a complete restoration. It has a neo-Baroque façade and an auditorium in the Italian theatre style, with a horseshoe-shaped layout, boxes and galleries. Historically, touring companies and local amateur groups performed there.

Open spaces

Parque Ferrera is divided into an English-style park and a French garden. The English-style area includes meadows, a pond, wooded areas and centuries-old trees. Parque Ferrera also includes a children’s playground, signposted areas for sports exercises, an environmental classroom and public toilets.

Parque del Muelle was laid out in the 19th century on former marshland. It has twelve sculptures, many of which depict themes from Greek mythology.

Walking routes

The Ruta por la Ría de Avilés y su casco histórico route descends into the historic centre of Avilés and reaches the riverside promenade along the Ría. It follows the Ría de Avilés upstream for approximately two kilometres. It also crosses the Ría via a pedestrian bridge towards the Centro Niemeyer.

For holiday apartments in Avilés, travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions provide a clear basis for comparison. Pay attention to these three details in the individual offers to quickly identify differences when planning your trip and calmly tailor your choice to your own preferences.

Other places: Riofabar, Buelna, Les Maces, Tene, Merás, La Arquera, Tresano, Muñón Cimero

Everyday life

The market in Avilés offers fresh produce from the comarca and the region, including vegetables, fruit, cheese, meat and fish.

To the higher-level travel overview: Asturias.