Oviedo (Asturian, Uviéu) is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias in northern Spain.

Oviedo is the commercial and business capital, and the administrative and university centre of the region.

History

Little could the monks Máximo and Fromestano, founders of the city in 761, have suspected that their choice of a hill in the centre of Asturias would give rise to an urban, commercial, ecclesiastic and military life that has lasted for more than one thousand two hundred years. That first settlement was to be soon completed with the construction of a small church dedicated to San Vicente.

King Fruela I, the fourth of the Asturian monarchs, was the first decided promoter of the city as may be witnessed by his construction of both a palace and a nearby church. Nevertheless, Oviedo owes to Alfonso II, The Chaste (791-842) its establishment as a capital city and ruling seat as a result of the moving of the court from Pravia and the creation of the Pilgrim’s Route to Santiago de Compostela, a major event in the history of Oviedo, a church dedicated to The Saviour, the Cathedral of San Salvador, and a royal palace formed the nucleus and motive power of Oviedo.

During this period the city became the centre of an original and unique architectural expression, inheritor of Visigothic, Moorish and Nordic traditions, which was to reach its high point during the reign of Ramiro I.

The moving of the royal court to León, after the death of Alfonso III, The Great, links the life of the city to the relics preserved in its cathedral and the passing of pilgrims that visit El Salvador, and continue on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The following centuries (XII-XVI) witness the development of the medieval city, the outlines of which are still preserved today, the construction of the city walls, a devastating fire which took place on Christmas Eve in 1521, and the formidable aqueduct works, Los Pilares, constructed in order to provide the city with water throughout the XVI century.

The foundation of the Arts College (University of Oviedo) by Fernando de Valdés Salas, at the beginning of the XVII century, opened Oviedo to a progressive urban expansion, further impulse in the XVII by the city nobility and the construction of remarkable palaces; in the XIX century by industrial growth and the suburban development of Uría Street, and finally in the XX century by administrative and commercial development.

At the present Oviedo is the capital of the Principality of Asturias and maintains its vocation as a university and administrative service city. Business and commerce has become its fundamental economic sector. Today, Oviedo is a city with an outstanding international influence through the Prince of Asturias Awards, annually conceded in the Campoamor Theatre, and also as a result of the International Campus, attended by many world renowned personalities.

Architecture

• Cathedral of San Salvador, from 14th century, founded in 1388 over the chapel founded in the 8th century.
• Cámara Santa de Oviedo. Dating from 802. It is located in the Cathedral, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Santa María del Naranco palace, 9th century. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
• San Miguel de Lillo (small church), 9th century. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
• Basilica of San Julián de los Prados. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
• La Foncalada. Fountain of the 9th century. It is the only preserved Preromanesque civil work in the whole of Europe. Part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
• The University of Oviedo was founded in 1604 and inaugurated September 21, 1608, the feast of Saint Matthew. It was funded by the terms of the will of D. Fernando Valdés Salas.
• Town Hall (Casa Consistorial). Dates from 1662.
• La Balesquida Chapel (XIII century). Repeatedly restored in the XVII, XIX and XX centuries. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Hope.
• House of the Llanes (XVIII century). It is the best Baroque facade in the whole of Asturias.
• Deán Payarinos' House (XX century). A building of eclesiastic style it houses the Eduardo Martiner Torner Conservatory.
• The Monastery of San Vicente (VIII century). Present day, home of the Archaeological Museum of Asturias.
• The Convent Church of Santo Domingo (XVI century). One of the monastic settlements outside the city walls.
• El Fontán (XVII-XVIII centuries). A monumental unit formed by an XVIII century porticoed square. It was reconstructed in 1998.

Culture

Oviedo is the headquarter of the galardon called Premios Príncipe de Asturias.

It inspired the fictional city of Vetusta in Leopoldo Alas' La Regenta. Other Spanish writers were inspired by this city like Ramón Pérez de Ayala in Tigre Juan and Dolores Medio in her novel Nosotros los Rivero

Museums in Oviedo:

• Archaeological Museum of Asturias
• Fine Arts Museum of Asturias
• Holy Chamber
• Diocesan Museum
• Tabularium Artis Asturiensis

List of Museums

Other centres of culture in Oviedo:

• Campoamor Theatre
• Filarmónica Theatre
• Prince Felipe's Auditorium
• Congress Palace (in construction)

Sports

• Real Oviedo football team. (3rd division league)
• Domo Residencial Oviedo basket team. (EBA league, group A)

Anual Sports Events:

• International Showjumping Competition
• City of Oviedo Horse Show
• City of Oviedo San Silvestre
• City of Oviedo Trial Indoor
• Outdoor Sports Climbing
• Tour of Spain (Cycling)
• Tour of Asturias (Cycling)
• Ascent of Naranco (Cycling)
• City of Oviedo Mountain Bike Open
• City of Oviedo Cycle Criterium
• Base Hockey International Tournament
• International Icehockey Tournament
• Prince of Asturias International Rally
• National Auto-Cross Championship
• International Hurdles Competition
• International Chess Open
• Boxing Nights
• City of Oviedo Weightlifting Championship
• Ascension Bowls Tournament
• San Mateo Bowls Tournament

Feast and Traditions

The Festive Calendar:

• Procesion of the Three Wise Men: The traditional retinue that accompanies the Three Wise Men of the East parade through the city and make their offering of the Child Jesus in the Cathedral Square.
• El Antroxu (Carnival):
• Feast of the Ascension:
• La Foguera de San Xuan (Saint John's Bonfire):
• La Balesquida or Martes del Bollu:
• The Feast of San Mateo:
• The Celebration of Disarmament's Day:

Gastronomy:

• Fabada (Stew of beans, pork, etc.)
• Callos (Tripe)
• Carne gobernada (Meat cutted into pieces prepared with onion, garlic and white wine.)
• Merluza a la sidra (Hake prepared in cider)
• Paxarines
• Carbayones: Typical cake of Oviedo
• Sidra (Cider): Asturian typical drink

Other cities in the municipality

• Trubia
• Colloto (divided into two municipalities: Oviedo and Siero)
• San Claudio
• San Esteban de las Cruces
• Latores
• Olloniego

Links

• Municipality of Oviedo (in Spanish)
• University of Oviedo (in Spanish)
  
  
  

ast:Uviéu (conceyu)

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Oviedo |-----
style="background:#c0c0c0;" align="center" colspan="2"
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Capital		Oviedo
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Area  - total  - % of Asturias
List of Asturian municipalities by area	Ranked 21st 184.32 square kilometer	km² 1.7%
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Population  - total  - % of Asturias  - Density
List of Asturian municipalities by population	Ranked 2nd 202,938 (2002) 19.2% 1101,01 inhab/km²
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Denomyn  - English language	English  - Spanish language	Spanish
?? ovetense, carbayón
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List of Oviedo's Mayors	Mayor
Gabino de Lorenzo Ferrera	D. Gabino de Lorenzo Ferrera (Popular Party	PP)
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Oviedo's Councillors	Town councillors
25 seats + the Mayor
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Political Parties (elections of 2003)
16 seats PP: Popular Party 7 seats PSOE: Spanish Socialist Workers' Party 2 seats IU: United Left 1 seat Independent
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align="center" colspan="2"	Municipality of Oviedo (in Spanish)
}