Candamo: Holiday apartments and holiday homes

Candamo is closely associated with the Paleolithic cave art of northern Spain, while also preserving evidence of history, landscapes and regional traditions. The Interpretation Centre of Cueva de Candamo displays life-size replicas of the cave’s treasures, as well as a multimedia system on the parietal art of the Cantabrian coast. It is located in the restored Palacio de Valdés-Bazán in San Román. Cueva de Candamo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Cave of Altamira and Paleolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain”.

Those choosing Candamo as a holiday destination may wish to rent a holiday apartment.

Culture

La Peña Cave in San Román, Candamo, is the westernmost cave with Paleolithic art on the European continent. The paintings and engravings in Cueva de la Peña were created between 22,590 and 10,870 years ago. La Peña Cave is located on the road from Grullos to Peñaullán (AS-236), between kilometres 4 and 5; a road leads from San Román to a car park near the cave. Cueva de la Peña lies in the vicinity of the Camín Real de la Mesa, one of the major Roman roads of the Iberian Peninsula.

Other architectural and historical landmarks also form part of Candamo’s character: The church of La Mortera replaced a ruined hermitage dedicated to Saint Mark. San Pedro Mangón has a history spanning more than ten centuries and served as the venue for the first open council meetings, as well as a school. Aces is known for its numerous old hórreos, many of which have carved doors.

El Castiellu is an oval area measuring approximately 100 × 40 metres, protected on its northern, eastern and western slopes by steep changes in terrain; the defensive system on the southern side consists of three ramparts. The small Church of San Andrés has a square apse, a single-nave design and a bell gable with three arches.

Nature

At 145 kilometres, the Nalón is the longest river in Asturias and flows through Candamo. From the last houses in La Ponte Peñaflor, a narrow road leads via El Campillín and through the Sierra del Pedrousu to the La Degollada recreation area.

The third route of the Espacio Histórico is 5.8 kilometres long and leads over Pico Pedrozu, passing trenches, machine-gun nests, positions for riflemen and grenadiers, as well as an observation shelter.

Active trails

The Centro Multideporte La Degollada offers several outdoor routes and circuits, including Asalto a las Trincheras, La Fe, Senda'l Pedrosu, Degollada 2.0 and Ciclo X. From the La Degollada recreation area, a trail leads to the Picos del Horru Observatory, passing preserved traces of military archaeology. The observatory preserves a still-visible trench system; from there, it offers a 360-degree panoramic view over central Asturias.

Ciclo X, a variant of the BTT route Asalto a las Trincheras, runs entirely through Candamo on tracks, paths and some paved sections. The Ciclo X circuit is 34.2 kilometres long, has 644 metres of elevation gain, is designed for cyclists with an intermediate level of fitness and good stamina, and can also be completed on foot.

Local character

Candamo’s horticultural tradition is particularly represented by strawberry cultivation. The Festival de la Fresa honours the people who preserve Candamo’s longstanding strawberry-growing tradition; traditional music and handicrafts accompany the presentation of the strawberries.

Further destinations: El Franco, Tapia De Casariego, Castropol, Cabrales, Lena, Langreo, Riosa, Belmonte De Miranda

To the main travel overview: Asturias.