Oviedo

Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain and the administrative and commercial centre of the region. It is also the name of the municipality that contains the city.

Oviedo is located approximately 24 km (15 mi) southwest of Gijón and 23 km (14 mi) south of Avilés, both of which lie on the shoreline of the Bay of Biscay. Oviedo’s proximity to the ocean of less than 30 kilometres (19 mi) in combination with its elevated position with areas of the city more than 300 metres above sea level causes the city to have a maritime climate, in spite of its not being located on the shoreline itself.

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.

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:

Other cultural centres in Oviedo:

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.

Oviedo also hosts the annual Princess of Asturias Awards (previously called the Prince of Asturias Awards). This prestigious event, held in the city’s Campoamor Theatre, recognizes international achievement in eight different categories. Previous award winners include Oscar Niemeyer, Bob Dylan and Francis Ford Coppola in the category of Arts; Nelson Mandela, the International Space Station and Al Gore in the category of International Cooperation; and Mario Bunge, CNN and Quino in the category of Communications and Humanities.

Oviedo University‘s international campus attracts many foreign scholars from all over the globe.

The city lends its name to the sudarium of Oviedo a religious relic  revered there since the 9th century.

Feasts and traditions

The Festive Calendar:

  • Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos de Oriente: The traditional Twelve 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 make a 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
  • Carbayones, Oviedo’s typical almond pastry
  • Sidra, (cider), Asturian typical drink, fermented apple cider
  • Arroz con leche, similar to rice pudding
  • Frixuelos, similar to a crêpe
GALLERY
OVIEDO, SPAIN - JULY 17, 2014: Central square and Cathedral of San Salvador in the center of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.23.223.323.423.5

Contact

Oviedo
email
address
Plaza de la Constitución, s / n 33009 Oviedo Asturias
phone
984083800
WEBSITE