Colombres: Indianos Heritage, Culture and Nature on the Costa Oriental

Colombres preserves the largest and best-preserved ensemble of Indianos architecture in Asturias. At the same time, the town is protected as an Asset of Cultural Interest in the category of a historic ensemble. Visitors to Colombres therefore encounter a townscape in which history, architecture and landscape are closely intertwined.

The Indianos heritage includes residential buildings and exceptional public institutions promoted by people who had emigrated to the Americas. The Quinta Guadalupe is an illustrative place to explore this chapter of the town’s history. It houses the Fundación Archivo de Indianos – Museo de la Emigración. The Museo de la Emigración is spread across three floors of the Quinta Guadalupe. Rooms with original period furnishings have also been reconstructed in the Quinta Guadalupe, conveying an impression of an Indianos house.

Culture and History

Distinctive traces of the town’s history can also be discovered outside the museum. The central square of Colombres was laid out on an oval plan before 1900. It has a paved promenade, lighting, trees, benches, a green area and a monument to the Count of Ribadedeva. The town hall was built on the western side of Colombres’ square.

When the parish church of Santa María in Colombres was improved, its impressive Baroque façade was preserved. The Oficina Municipal de Turismo de Ribadedeva – Casa de Piedra is located in Colombres and provides personal assistance to visitors. When planning their trip, those interested in culture can compare individual highlights such as the museum, architecture, square and religious building.

Festivals and Visitor Advice

A regular date in the annual calendar is the Feria de Indianos, held every July in Colombres, the capital of the municipality of Ribadedeva. Over one weekend, the Feria de Indianos combines cultural, gastronomic and entertaining events focusing on the Indianos. For a culturally focused trip, this event can be considered separately from the town’s architectural and historical heritage, which can be seen year-round.

Nature and Trails

Colombres is one of the most important access points to the protected landscape of Paisaje Protegido de la Costa Oriental. The Colombres–Vilde–Colombres hike passes through the meadows that shape the relief of the Rasa de Colombres. Another route passes by various houses, manor houses and estates.

Colombres is also featured as the endpoint of a described cycling route: the cycle route from Cangas de Onís to Colombres ends in Colombres. For the return journey from the Colombres–Ribadesella cycling route, the FEVE MD-R2 Oviedo/Uviéu–Santander line can be used. Different types of paths and routes give trip planning various focuses, ranging from local history, landscape and hiking to cycling.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Colombres, you can compare travel dates, room category and cancellation policies on the respective listing page. For trip planning, this information represents a separate, objective decision-making factor alongside the town’s cultural and landscape-related themes.

Other Places

Other places: Noriega, Bones, Boquerizo, La Franca

To the higher-level travel overview: Ribadedeva.