Page 90 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

88  NOR THERN SP AIN REGION B Y REGION

1 Castropol 2 Taramundi E Museo Etnográfico
Avda del Ferreiro 16, Grandas de Salime.
Asturias. Road Map C1. * 3,700. Asturias. Road Map C1. * 700. Tel 985 62 72 43. Open May–Sep: 11am–
n Aparcamiento Peñamar, 647 54 74 n Solleiro 14; 985 64 68 77. _ San 2:30pm & 4–8pm Tue–Sat, 11am–3pm
77 (Jun­–Aug); Plaza del Ayuntamiento José (19 Mar), Día del Turista (last Sun Sun; Oct–Apr: 11am–2pm & 4–6:30pm
s/n, 985 63 50 01 (Sep–May). in Jul). ∑ taramundi.net Tue–Fri, 11am–2:30pm & 4–6:30pm Sat,
_ Corpus Cristi (May–Jun). 11am–3pm Sun. & (free Tue)
∑ castropol.es Situated in the remote Los
Oscos region, on the border
This pretty fishing port, with with Galicia, is the small village 3 Castro de Coaña
its narrow streets and white­ of Taramundi. In the surrounding
washed buildings, occupies forests visitors can admire not Asturias. Road Map C1. £ 5 km (3
the eastern bank of the Eo only the beautiful natural miles) SW of Navia. Tel 985 97 84 01.
river, which marks the border environ ment but also Open Apr–Sep: 10:30am–5:30pm Wed–
between Asturias and Galicia. acquaint Sun; Oct–Mar: 10:30am–3:30pm Wed–
The town lies opposite themselves Sun. 7 & (free Wed). 8 (Jul & Aug).
Ribadeo in Galicia (see p56). with the tradi­
Its name derives from tions of local This is one of the most important
nine well­preserved craftsmanship at centres of Celtic­Iberian culture.
castros, or ancient various forges. The Castros were the most common
Celtic settlements tourist information type of settle ment at the end of
with dwellings office can provide the Bronze Age, consisting of
arranged in a circle. information on five chaotically arranged circular
For centuries, the hiking routes through dwellings surrounded by moats
town was an impor­ the area. Of particular and palisades. The Castro de
tant commercial interest is Grandas Coaña, with 80 dwellings spread
centre, where trade de Salime – 30 km over a hillside in the Navia valley,
in grain, timber, (19 miles) to the dates from the Iron Age; the first
iron, salt, wine and Detail of the monument to southeast – where archaeo logical digs took place
textiles flourished. Fernando Villamil in Castropol handicrafts are here in 1877. The on­site
The significance of displayed in the museum displays many of the
the port was recog nized by King local Museo Etnográfico. finds that have been unearthed.
Juan I of Castile, who in 1386 However, Taramundi is
accorded it numerous privileges. celebrated above all for its Environs
Castropol also played an tradition of wrought­iron Nearby, in a picturesque location
important role as a town craftsmanship. Iron ore was at the foot of the mountains, is
situated on the pilgrimage first mined in the area by the Navia, a typical Asturian fishing
route to Santiago de Romans, and today there are village. On 15 August is its
Compostela. The parish Iglesia approximately 13 forges in festival of the cult of the Virgin,
de Santiago dates from the and around the village, where who, accor ding to legend, saved
17th century, having been built craftsmen can be seen making a group of fishermen from
on the site of an earlier church. traditional knives with decorated drowning. The fiesta is a good
Until the 19th century, it served wooden handles. Here, the skill time to sample the local delicacy
as a shelter for weary pilgrims. of artistic smithery is still passed – Venera de Navia, a beautifully
Also noteworthy is the Capilla down from father to son. decorated almond cake.
Santa María, built in 1461, with Taramundi is also justly There are beautiful beaches
a Gothic alabaster figure of the renowned for the high­quality just to the east at Frexulfe
Virgin and Child inside. It was liqueurs produced here. near Puerto de Vega.
apparently the only building
in the town to have escaped
the devastating fire of 1587.
Of interest, too, are the
palaces that once belonged
to the port’s richer inhabitants,
such as the Palacio Vellador,
the Palacio de los Marqueses
de Santa Cruz, and the Palacio
Villarosita, which bear family
coats of arms on their façades.
The town’s green space is the
Parque de Vicente Loriente,
opened in 1911; it is named
after a Cuban émigré who
undertook several initiatives
to aid the town’s development. The remains of a Celtic settlement in Castro de Coaña
For hotels and restaurants see pp204–5 and pp217–19

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