The council of Villaviciosa hoards the largest number of pre-Romanesque and Romanesque art monuments in Asturias, being its most famous pearl the Conventín de Valdediós. This municipality cannot be understood without its dense monumental context that will allow us to trace a cultural itinerary of the first order.
A score of architectural gems
In the Cistercian monastery of Santa María de Valdediós you can see the medieval architectural evolution suffered in three centuries, from the end of the ninth century, when it was built, at the beginning of the thirteenth century, when the church of Santa María was built, an austere building with three large naves and powerful triabsidal head articulated by columns and half-point windows. It has been declared a World Heritage Site. It also has the title of Historical-Artistic monument, as well as the Church of Santa María de la Oliva (in the urban center of Villaviciosa) and a dozen other architectural enclaves in the area, such as the singular church of San Salvador de Priesca, which dates from the tenth century, and which was already declared a national monument in the 1913 year. This temple, as much for its architecture as for the reli- gious and pictorial decoration that it conserves at present, is one of the last examples of the splendor of pre-Romanesque peninsular art.
San Salvador de Valdediós
In the surroundings the patrimony is environmental and unique: forests of oaks, chestnuts and bushes…
The Church of San Juan de Amandi, located in a high a few kilometers from the capital of the council. The richness of its execution is evident in all its corners, but it stands out more in the double floor of columns that articulate the interior wall of the presbytery and apse.
The interiors of these buildings vary from simplicity and austerity to baroque decantations. In all of them we are told a long story: wars and famines confused with happier times, primitive stones that are mixed with later additions ... stories of master architects, workshops, priests, rural legends, lords, vassals, kings.
We will find polychrome carvings on altars to smooth the profane character of its capitals, hieratic carvings with expressionless faces, imposing baptismal fonts such as the Santa Eulalia de Selorio, foundational inscriptions and other inscriptions that indicate a later reform.
Even in the samples of late Romanesque, when flirting with Gothic features, sculpture and decoration did not abandon their Romanesque patterns.
Information:
To know in detail all this great heritage we can approach the capital of the municipality, next to the Church of Santa María de la Oliva we will find a Information and reception center for visits to the Romanesque Villaviciosa (La Casina de la Oliva).
Monastery of Santa María de Valdediós (13th century) declared a historical-artistic monument.
Visiting Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 11: 00 to 13: 00 and 16: 30 to 18: 30. Tuesday from 11: 00 to 11: 45 and from 13: 00 to 13: 45. Closed Monday.
Santa María de la Oliva (XIII century) declared historical-artistic monument.
Visiting hours: July, August and September from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11: 00 to 13: 00 and from 17: 00 to 19: 00. Rest of the year: Tuesdays and Saturdays of 11: 00 to 13: 00. Closed Monday. Parish priest of Villaviciosa: tno. 985 89 01 79
Church of San Salvador de Priesca (National monument from 1913). It dates from the 10th century.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest. Tno 985 97 67 12
Church of San Juan de Amandi (XII century). Historical artistic monument.
Visiting hours: July, August and September from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11: 30 to 13: 30 and from 17: 30 to 19: 30. Rest of the year: Tuesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays of religious precept of 11: 30 to 13: 30. Closed Monday. Parish information: 985 89 00 73.
Church of Santa María de Lugás. Historical artistic monument.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest.
San Andrés de Valdebárcena (IX century). Historic-artistic monument.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest.
Church of Santa Eulalia de La Lloraza in Oles.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest. Tno 985 49 48
Church of Santa Eulalia de Selorio. Historic-artistic monument.
Visiting schedule. Contact econ the pastor. Tno 985 99 62 07
Church of Santiago de Peón. Historic-artistic monument.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest. Tno 985 89 40 34.
Chapel of San Nicolás de Tornón
Contact the parish priest of San Salvador de Priesca. Tno 985 97 67 12
Church of Santo Tomás de Coro (XIII century). Historic-artistic monument.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest.
Church of San Bartolomé in Puelles (XIII century).
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest.
Church of Santa María de Arbazal (historical-artistic monument).
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest of San Bartolomé de Buelles.
Temple of Santa María de Sebrayo (10th century) in Miravalles.
Visiting hours: contact the parish priest of San Salvador de Priesca. Tno 985 97 67 12
Church of San Salvador de Fuentes (Eleventh century). Historic-artistic monument.
Church of Santa María Magdalena de Pandos (XIII century). Historic-artistic monument.
Church of Santa Mera (XIII century).
Church of San Juan de Camoca (s.XIII). Historic-artistic monument.
Church of Santa Cecilia de Careñes (s.XIII). Historic-artistic monument.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
