ONLY FOUR STEPS TO VISIT THE CITY


Discover the streets of Oviedo on the most trendy and comfortable mean of transport

THE CATHEDRAL
Cathedral The very essence of the city of Oviedo is centred in the old quarter.Strolling around its narrow, renovated streets conveys to us the flavour and aroma of the old city; we are taken, as if transported through time, to its 8th-century origins, to its walled enclosure,to the medieval city,the seat of the first Astur-León kings and the last bastion of Christianity, whith the Cathedral as the great pivot around wich the life of the citizenry revolves.

The layout of the streets in the old quarter has remained practically unaltered since medieval times, consisting of three large parallel axes which linked up each of their corresponding gates,which served to provide access to the ancient city though its surrounding wall.

The Cathedral, with its impressive tower, stands at the centre of Oviedo's old quarter. At its foot lies a large square, recovered for the city at the beginning of the 20th century, witch enables us to contemplate the beautiful facade and the extensive triple-arched portico inviting us to enter.

PORLIER SQUARE
Porlier Square The "Plaza de la Catedral" is bound by a group of noble buildings, among which the Balesquida Chapel,built in the 13th century, stands out.

This temple forms a corner with the Porlier Square, where the castle or fort built by King Alfonso III, to defend the city once stood.Several magnificent buildings form the boundaries of this square.

Nearby, we are faced with the fine University of Oviedo building.A visit inside is well worthwhile; given that we can contemplate the colonnaded,square cloister,tread also in its time by Padre Feijoo or Clarín.

The central statue commemorates Valdés Salas, the founder of the University.

TOWN HALL AND CHUECH OF SAN ISIDORO
Town Hall and Church of San Isidoro One of the University faÇades looks out onto Ramol y Cajal Street,where the small Plaza de Riego gives onto Peso Street, which leads to the Plaza de la Constitución where we find the Town Hall an the Church of San Isidoro del Real (built between 1578 and 1740).Along a strech of this street we can see some remains of the original medieval wall.

Nearby, we have a circle of buildings in the Plaza del Fontán that have recently be restored, and which form a porticoed square,thus constituting one of the most charming spots in the city.

The area adjacent to El Fontán, has been used every Thursday, for as long as can be remembered, as a weekly marketplace for the selling of Oviedo market garden products, flowers and clothes.

On Sunday moornings, this same spot is the scene of a small jumble sale where diverse clearance items, books,old coins and all type of curiosities can be found.

UMBRELLA SQUARE
Umbrella Square The Mon Street forms part of the second axis of medieval Oviedo. Until 1882 this street was called the Ferrería (Ironmongery) given the industrial activity carried out there.In the mornings it is the ideal spot for a pleasant contemplative stroll; in the evenings,however, it becomes the focal point for the nightlifeof the city's youth.

Mon Street connects to the Plaza del Paraguas (umbrella Square),so called because of the shape of the small booth at its centre, originally built to shelter the milk market sellers.From here Ecce-Homo Street descends down into San José Street,where another gate along the old city wall was situated.Nearby we have Paraiso Street, worthy of a visit given that it runs along the ruins of the medieval wall.