The
Principality of Asturias
stretches along a small section of the Cantabrian coastline between the
rivers Eo and Deva, the latter going to form its western and eastern boundaries
respectively. Moving inland, the ridges of the Cantabrian Mountains make
up the southernmost limits of the Principality with the rest of the country.
The result of these geographical
characteristics and the coastal climate with its abundance of rainfall
help to make Asturias a true natural paradise as far as flora and fauna
are concerned.
The rate at which these
natural characteristics come to light is a constant source of surprise.
The traveller will never cease to marvel at the new sights to be contemplated
round every corner or on the other side of the many mountain ranges that
can be crossed.
And if to all this we add
the open and hospitable character of the people, along with its deep-rooted
historical and cultural tradition, then the undeniable attraction of Asturias
will become more than apparent.
Since time immemorial the
Asturians have left ineffaceable traces of their fertile artistic imagination.
Prehistoric sites such as the Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella) or El Idolo
de Peña Tú (Llanes) are splendid and enigmatic examples of
this.
Without wishing to belittle
the important contributions made by the Celtic and Roman cultures, credit
should also be given to the Pre-Romanesque monumental heritage (recently
declared of World Heritage) and undoubtedly the most important archeological
discovery in Asturias.
Having been developed two
centuries before the Romanesque period and anticipating the technical and
artistic aspects of this great European movement, we have been left some
magnificent and beautiful constructions. Examples include the Churches
of Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo, Santa Cristina
de Lena and San Salvador de Valdediós.
Following the arrival of
the Cistercian and Benedictine orders, as well as the increased importance
of the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, the somewhat late Asturian
Romanesque style began its development. Among the many fine examples we
find the Monastery of San Salvador de Cornellana and the Churches of San
Antolín de Bedón, Santa Maria de Valdediós and San
Pedro de Villanueva.
As far as museums are concerned
a visit can be paid to the Archeological Museum and Museum of Fine Arts
in Oviedo; the Evaristo Valle Museum, the House-cum-Museum of Jovellanos
and the Barjola Museum in Gijón, and the Museum of the Selgas Foundation
at Cudillero. All these museums contain important collections paying particular
attention to the most modem artistic and educational trends. |
