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Oviedo, the capital of the Asturias Region, is a lively university town and has been one of northern Spain's most important industrial cities since the 19th century, thanks to nearby coal mines. In and around the city are relics of earlier eras, including many pre-Romanesque churches and other buildings dating from the 8th to the 10th centuries, when Asturias was one of the few regions of Christian Spain to remain unconquered by the Moors who occupied most of the rest of the Iberian peninsula. The region's three major cities - Oviedo, Aviles and Gijon - are all within 20 kms of each other and less than an hour's drive from the airport, which is also close to the region's Atlantic beaches. The region was a cradle of prehistoric civilisation, and remarkable cave paintings may be seen at the Cueva de Tito Bustillo in Ribadesella. Almost one third of the region has been designated as a region of outstanding natural beauty, and four nature reserves have been given UNESCO Biosphere status.
Recently declared Spain's cleanest city, Oviedo, the features an eclectic mix of old and new; streets are lined with every store possible with views of the lush green parkland and yet just a few streets away the 'old quarter' gives visitors a glimpse of its rich and historic past.
This area is said by many to be the very essence of the city. Strolling around its narrow, renovated streets, you will appreciate the city's 8th century origins, its walled enclosure, the medieval city, the seat of the first Astur-León kings and the last bastion of Christianity, with the Cathedral standing tall and proud at the centre.

Sightseeing :
- Cathedral of San Salvador, from 14th century, erected in 1388 over the previous cathedral, which was founded in the 8th century.
- Cámara Santa de Oviedo. Dating from 802. It is located within the Cathedral, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Santa María del Naranco Hall, 9th century. A relatively large pavilion, part of the palace complex built for and by King Ramiro I.
- San Miguel de Lillo (small church), 9th century.
- Basilica of San Julián de los Prados.
- La Foncalada. Fountain of the 9th century. It is the only preserved Pre-Romanesque civil work in the whole of Europe.
- The University of Oviedo was created in 1574, but only inaugurated on September 21, 1608, the feast of Saint Matthew. It was funded by the terms of the will of Archbishop D. Fernando Valdés Salas, minister and General Inquisitor under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Philip II.
- Town Hall (Casa Consistorial). Dates from 1662.
- La Balesquida Chapel (XIII century). Associated with Oviedo's tailors' guild. Repeatedly restored in the 17th, 19th and 20th centuries. It is dedicated to the Virgin of Hope.
- House of the Llanes (XVIII century). It is the best Baroque façade in the whole of Asturias.
- Deán Payarinos' House (XX century). A building on the Beaux Arts style. Nowadays, it houses the Eduardo Martínez Torner Conservatory.
- The Monastery of San Vicente (VIII century). At the moment, home of the Archaeological Museum of Asturias.
- The Convent Church of Santo Domingo, Oviedo (XVI century). One of the monastic settlements outside the city walls. The original building burnt down in 1934 and it was heavily reconstructed after the Civil War.
- El Fontán Market (17th century-18th century). A simple but rather monumental complex; an 18th century porticoed square, which housed the vegetable market. It fell victim to speculative manoeuvres. It was left to deteriorate on its own; claiming that it was beyond repair, it was then demolished on 1998 and rebuilt offering all modern amenities, but with its original proportions radically changed; the original complex being much lower than its modern replacement.
- Casas del Cuito, early 20th century Art Nouveau apartment building
- Archaeological Museum of Asturias
- Fine Arts Museum of Asturias
- Camara Santa within the Cathedral
- Diocesan Museum
- Tabularium Artis Asturiensis
- Center for the Reception and Understanding of Pre-Romanesque Art
- Museum of the Military Technology and Industry

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