The Castro de Coaña

Latitude: 43.5155678 Length: -6.7480087
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History of the Castro de Coaña

Known as El Castrillón , it served as a lookout point for the Navia estuary. The Roman conquest transformed it into a key stronghold . Its mission was to guarantee the flow of gold from nearby mines. Under the Roman Empire, it reached its peak during the second half of the 1st century AD . The results of ongoing excavations in the area, since the first archaeological work in the 19th century, seem to confirm that the settlement dates back to pre-Roman times . An earlier indigenous settlement is believed to have been responsible for the circular dwellings.

During the Roman occupation, rectangular hillforts were built. Coins from the time of Caesar and earlier have been found , the most numerous corresponding to the reign of Augustus. Coins from the reigns of Tiberius, Claudius, and Quintillus, dating to the 3rd century, have also been discovered. While their pre-Roman origin is difficult to date, the generalization that Asturian hillforts are linked to the Roman occupation is being questioned recently. Carbon-14 dating offers chronologies of the 7th and 8th centuries BC for other renowned Asturian hillforts such as San Chuis and Chao San Martín, previously considered to be of Roman origin.

Whatever its origin, we walk along the path that leads to the heart of the ancient village. We pass through an impressive stepped wall and observe the remains of a rectangular tower that strategically defended the entrance to the inner enclosure known as the acropolis.

Between the city wall and the acropolis, on the northern slope of the hill, lies the urban center of the settlement, known as the northern quarter . The size of the buildings—houses, warehouses, workshops, etc.—varies from 4 to 6 meters in diameter for the circular ones, to 5 x 12 meters for the rectangular ones. Some still retain a central hearth, as well as millstones and large granite blocks.

However, what will most likely attract our attention is the area known as the sacred precinct , where two groups of structures are located, one older than the other, presumably related to water worship . The first consists of a chamber with an apse, a semi-oval pool, a tiled floor, and channels; the second is accessed through an antechamber leading to a large chamber; a doorway provides access to a large granite pool. Although its ancient use remains highly debated, everything seems to point to a thermal bath complex. Admittedly, a very rustic and basic one.

In a small valley adjacent to the hill fort is the educational classroom of the Archaeological Park of the Navia Basin , whose contents deal with the hill fort culture, Roman gold mining and the archaeological method.

How to get to Castro de Coaña

We start from Navia (crossed by the N-634 road). On the left bank of the estuary is the town of El Espín. There we take the AS-12 road towards Grandas de Salime . After passing the village of Coaña, the hill fort and the educational center are accessed via a turnoff to the right of the road.

Castro de Coaña: tickets and fees

Winter timetable (01/10 to 31/03):
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 15:30 p.m. (last recommended pass at 15:00 p.m.)
Closed: Monday and Tuesday.

Summer hours (01/04 to 30/09):
Wednesday to Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m. (last recommended pass at 17:00 p.m.)
Closed: Monday and Tuesday.

Check schedules for guided tours: 985 978 401

General: 3,13 €
Reduced: € 1,62 (children from 7 to 12 years old, people over 65 years old and members of large families).
Free: under 7 years and Wednesday
Groups: check visit conditions.

What to see in Coaña

In the town of Coaña, we can admire the Discoid Stele , a large, round stone. It is believed to have belonged to the hill fort and to have been linked to funerary or solar cults. Later, it was Christianized and came to be called the Stone of Our Lady. It is located in a house on the outskirts of the town and has become an emblematic symbol of the municipality.

Through this municipality passes the Santiago's road.
Home: N43 32.493 // W6 43.527
Final: N43 32.768 // W6 48.134

· Coaña coastal path and Ortigueira sea route.
It begins in the town of Ortiguera, runs along the entire Coañesa coast from East to West, passing through the towns of Medal, Lloza and Cartavio, to end in the center of Castello.
Low difficulty / 18 km / 7 hours. / Suitable for walking and mountain biking.

· Cape of San Agustín.
Splendid viewpoint over the Cantabrian Sea, where the old and current lighthouses are located.