Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

nor thern sp ain region b y region  85

ASTURIAS AND

CANTABRIA

the spectacular picos de europa
massif sits astride the border between
asturias and Cantabria. in this rural
region cottage crafts are kept alive in
villages in remote mountain valleys and forested foothills. there are many
ancient towns and churches, and pretty fishing ports on the coasts. Cave
paintings, such as those at altamira, were made by people living here
over 18,000 years ago.
An ancient princi pality, Asturias is also in Gijón. Though much of this industry
known as the Costa Verde (Green Coast). has closed, its legacy is reflected in the
The secluded mountain valleys and Austurian character, which is rough-edged
wooded hills have attracted settlers but friendly. Today Asturian towns have
to the region since time immemorial. a lively cultural life.
Asturias is proud that it resisted invasion Cantabria centres on Santander, its
by the Moors. The Reconquest of Spain capital, a port and a lively resort. It is a
is tradi tionally held to have begun in mountain ous province with a legacy
718, when a Moorish force was defeated of isolated Romanesque churches and
by Christians at Covadonga in the well-preserved towns and villages such
Picos de Europa. as Santillana del Mar, Carmona and
The Christian kingdom of Asturias was Bárcena Mayor.
founded in the 8th century, and in the Mountains cover more than half of
brilliant, brief artistic period that followed both provinces, so mountain sports are
many churches were built around the a major attraction. Expanses of deciduous
capital, Oviedo. Some of them still stand. forests remain, some sheltering Spain’s
In 1037 Asturias was absorbed into Castile. dwindling popula tion of wild bears.
Asturias was a strong player in the Equally beguiling is the beautiful coast,
19th-century industrial revolution in with pretty fishing ports and resorts,
Spain, with coal mining from Gijón to such as Castro Urdiales, Ribadesella and
Oviedo, and steelmaking and ship building Comillas, and sandy coves for bathing.

A picturesque ría in the vicinity of San Vicente de la Barquera
The Holy Cave of Covadonga, in the Picos de Europa, Asturias

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