The capital of the municipality of Ribadedeva, this town could have become a major city had the ambitions of its most illustrious citizens been sustained. Those who returned wealthy from the Americas spared no expense to make their hometown larger and more prestigious . Therefore, its appearance and history are inextricably linked to the legacy of the Indies , a legacy steeped in tales of overseas adventures and sacrifice. But Colombres is also an ideal starting point for exploring a region brimming with other cultural attractions and boasting enviable natural beauty.
What are the indianos in Asturias?
The term "Indianos" refers to the young Asturians who, during the second half of the 19th and the first half of the 20th centuries, were forced to emigrate to the Americas . Some prospered and amassed wealth, while others did not. Those who succeeded, upon their return from Havana, Mexico, Argentina, and other countries, built small palaces and mansions known today as "Indiano houses." They also used part of their fortune to construct schools, streets, squares, and gardens, making their towns among the most beautiful and cherished in Asturias.
Colombres is a veritable open-air museum where Indiano architecture reaches its finest expression. The inhabitants of this town, indebted to the Indianos (Spaniards who returned wealthy from the Americas), celebrate the Indianos Fair every July . The streets are adorned with colonial decorations and many participants dress in period costumes; a market is set up, brimming with stalls inspired by overseas products; there are concerts of Latin American music, habaneras, theatrical performances, street entertainment, lectures, exhibitions, and more.
Colombres Indian Fair
In mid-July, Colombres transforms into a full-fledged "Indian village." And that's saying something, considering this town already... Read more
Exemplary Town of Asturias
Precisely because it has preserved the legacy of its emigrants, Colombres was declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 2013. And not only that, in 2015 the King and Queen of Spain awarded it the title of Exemplary Town , among other things for enriching this legacy, maintaining its heritage, and highlighting emigration as a driving force for culture, the economy, and society.
The Indianos Archive
The Indianos Archive-Museum of Emigration Foundation is the jewel of Colombres . Perhaps the quintessential Indiano mansion in all of Asturias, it stands out for its size, the beauty of its architecture, and the stately grounds and gardens it houses. This fabulous building dates back to 1906 and is named Quinta Guadalupe in honor of the founder's wife, Iñigo Noriega Laso. In the 80s, through an initiative of the Principality of Asturias and the University of Oviedo, it was designated as the headquarters of the Indianos Archive Foundation . Its interior is dazzling, with the solidity provided by the finest and most exotic building materials. Some rooms have been reconstructed with period furniture. The rest of the building houses a permanent exhibition on the various aspects of emigration, along with a specialized library and a large documentary archive about the social centers of Spanish emigration.
Archives of Indians
Asturian emigration to America at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries was quite a phenomenon … Read more
Where are the Indian houses?
The buildings surrounding the beautiful elliptical plaza of Colombres, such as the Town Hall, the Baroque-inspired church, and the Quinta de Guadalupe estate, owe their existence to American wealth. The Indiano architecture of Colombres is unique; it's a distinct entity well worth discovering. Following this marked route, we'll uncover more than a dozen highly representative and beautiful buildings. The best way to experience this Indiano house itinerary is simply to let yourself be guided. They are all quite close to each other and easily recognizable for their striking and exotic style.
Route of the indianos' houses
Monumental facades, ornate gates, galleries, courtyards, balconies, dreamlike doorways, chapels… Read more
What to see near Colombres?
Although Colombres is the capital of a small municipality, barely 36 square kilometers in area, its location and attractions are significant. Midway between Llanes and Cantabria, between the Cantabrian Sea and the Sierra del Cuera mountain range, it boasts sites recognized as World Heritage Sites, such as the Pindal Caves , a rock art sanctuary located in the village of Pimiango , associated with mystical and supernatural matters. The paintings and engravings there grew in number and artistic quality generation after generation, over the course of 50 centuries.
Cueva del Pindal, a rock sanctuary
A great deal of time has passed since prehistory first appeared in the lands of present-day Ribadedeva, so much so that… Read more
Very close to the village of Pimiango, we can also visit the hermitage of San Emeterio , the lighthouse of the same name, and the visitor center. We walk through a small valley near the sea, once a place of Christian contemplation. A scene from José Luis Garci's film "El Abuelo" was filmed in the portico of the 13th-century hermitage of San Emeterio. About 100 meters from the hermitage is the visitor center for the surrounding area and the Pindal Cave. There is also an old lighthouse in this area , still operational.
The Mirador del Picu , very close to here, offers excellent panoramic views of the Cantabrian Sea and the Picos de Europa.
A short hiking trail leads to the Monastery of Tina. We cross an oak forest and follow a winding path with views of the Pimiango cliffs, until we reach this enigmatic and beautiful place. The ruins of this church are believed to date back to the 13th century.
La Franca Beach is undoubtedly the most attractive beach and the closest to the town of Colombres. It is also the easternmost beach in Asturias and one of the most beautiful and expansive on the Cantabrian coast.
Beach of La Franca
La Franca beach is located near the town of the same name, at the mouth of the river… Read more
At the nearby mouth of the Deva River, in the Tina Mayor estuary , all the waters from the eastern, central, and part of the western massifs of the Picos de Europa converge. The estuary cuts through the high coastline, creating a breathtaking landscape in the immediate vicinity and a vast marshland in the lower reaches.
Mouth of the river Deva
All the waters from the eastern, central, and part of the mountain ranges reach the Tina Mayor estuary… Read more
Colombres and the Camino de Santiago
Pilgrims walking the Northern Way along the coast will reach Colombres, the endpoint of the stage (approximately 28 km) that begins in Comillas and the starting point of the Colombres-Llanes stage (23 km). The distance between Colombres and Santiago de Compostela is 473 kilometers.
The Camino de Santiago in Asturias
The Camino de Santiago in its Asturian section is a very popular pilgrimage route to Compostela and each… Read more
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
