Page 91 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2017 - Northern Spain

ASTURIAS AND C ANT ABRIA  89

5 Cudillero Environs
Some 10 km (6 miles) south
Asturias. Road Map D1. * 5,500.
n Puerto del Oeste; 985 59 13 77 of Cudillero is Pravia, with its
(985 59 00 03 in winter). ( Fri. _ charming 12th-century Capilla
San Pedro (29 Jun). ∑ cudillero.es del Virgen de Valle. The simple
interior contains a 16th-century
With its streets winding down terracotta statue of the Virgin.
an impossibly steep cliffside to
end at a picture-perfect harbour,
this fishing village attracts large
numbers of visitors, thanks
also to its outdoor cafés and
excellent seafood restaurants.
The houses, with their red roofs,
seem to merge imperceptibly
with the hill sides that cascade
The old harbourmaster’s office near the down towards the sea.
seafront in Luarca Its name derives from the
word codillo (elbow), referring
4 Luarca to the shape of the village. The
Asturias. Road Map D1. * 4,000. £ place looks most seductive in the
@ n Plaza Alfonso X El Sabio s/n; evenings, when attractively lit –
985 64 00 83. _ Noche Celta (last Sat a pleasant walk can be made to
in Jul), Rosario (15 Aug), San Timoteo the port and observa tion point, The façade of the 16th-century Iglesia de
(22 Aug). ∑ turismoluarca.com from where there is a panoramic Santa María in Salas
view of the surround ing area.
Luarca is nicknamed Villa Blanca The view certainly inspired 6 Salas and Valle
de la Costa Verde (White Town director José Luis Garci, who del Narcea
on the Green Coast) on account shot here some of the scenes
of its houses with white façades. for Volver a Empezar (1982) – the Asturias. Road Map D1. * 5,600. @
n Plaza de la Campa (Salas); 985 83
This picturesque fishing port, first Spanish film to win an Oscar. 09 88. _ Fiesta del Bollo (3rd week
specializing in tuna, arose at The port boasts fine architec- in Aug).
the mouth of the meandering ture. The oldest buildings are
Rio Negro, across which many a 13th-century Romanesque Salas is the birthplace of the
bridges have been built. On a chapel – the Capilla de Marquis de Valdés-Salas, the
cliff overlooking the narrow Humilladero – and the Gothic founder of the university in
beach are a chapel and an Iglesia de San Pedro, dating Oviedo and one of the main
impressive lighthouse. from the 16th century. On 29 instigators of the Inquisition.
Luarca is considered to be June, when a fiesta in honour of The main highlight is the
one of the most attractive St Peter is held, locals meet on beautiful Old Town, built around
places on the northern coast. Its the plaza to describe to each the imposing castle, which
traditional character is reflected other, in a humorous and ironic once served as the residence
in the charmingly old-fashioned way, the events of the previous of the archbishop.
chigres, or tavernas, where one year in local dialect. The Iglesia de San Martín
can sample the excellent local was consecrated in
cider. The port is brimming with 896 and later rebuilt
bars and restaurants offering in the 10th century.
inexpensive fresh fish, which is Also noteworthy is
sold every day in the afternoon the collegiate Iglesia
once the fishermen have de Santa María,
returned with their catch. which dates from
The most beautiful building in 1549 and is situated
Luarca is undoubtedly the town on the main square.
hall, which was commis sioned South of Salas
in 1906 by an influential family extends a beautiful,
who had returned after making wild valley known as
a fortune in Spain’s colonies. the Valle del Narcea.
Some of the rooms have been Green and secluded,
converted into exclusive tourist it is an excellent
accommoda tion. Luarca’s most place for walking,
important fiesta is San Timoteo, hiking and fishing.
which begins in the evening of The villages here are
21 August with a fireworks known for fine ham
display on the seafront. A verdant square in Pravia, near Cudillero and traditional crafts.

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