The somedano Ecomuseum has two locations: Caunéu and Veigas. In the first of them, the exhibition focuses on two parts: the trades and the ethnographic routes.
It is located in the old Caunedo schools, built in 1953 and paid for by an emigrant to Cuba named José Feito Taladrid. Several of the most common trades in the area are represented: madreñeiro, carpinteiro, goxeiro, ferreiro and canteiro. The tools and processes of each of them are well represented.
We will also meet a school classroom, with its wooden desks, its maps decorating the walls, and thus we go back in time half a century recreating a use of the building itself.
Somiedo has been linked to cattle since time immemorial and he has always traveled from the valley to the port with his head of cattle. There are three transhumance that coexist throughout the year: an inland transhumance -from the towns to the nearby brañas-, that of the vaqueiros d'alzada -from the towns of Somiedo to other towns at lower altitudes- and the so-called mesteña -from the herds of sheep from Extremadura to the ports of Somiedo-. All this is reflected on the second floor of the exhibition building.
In the town of Veigas a Guided tour of the interior of three houses old, which retain their green roof, the broomstick so common in this area. These constructions had a livestock use, they were grouped into brañas spread throughout the geography of Somedana and today there are several signposted routes that invite us to enjoy them. There are teito de escoba cabins, such as those located in the Saliencia valley, La Pornacal or Braña Viecha, and entirely made of stone with a dry stone technique, such as those in Sousas or La Mesa.
When can we visit the Ecomuseum?
Trades and transhumance (Cauneu)
Winter (From September 16 to June 30)
Wednesday to Friday: from 11 a.m. to 14 p.m.
Saturday: from 11am to 14pm and from 16pm to 19pm.
Sunday: from 11am to 14pm and from 16pm to 18pm.
Monday and Tuesday closed.
Verano (From July 1 to September 15)
Monday to Sunday: from 11am to 14pm and from 16pm to 20pm.
· Houses (Vegas)
Winter (From September 16 to June 30)
Wednesday to Saturday: 11am to 14pm and 16pm to 19pm.
Sunday: 11am to 14pm and 16pm to 18pm.
Monday and Tuesday closed.
Verano (From July 1 to September 15)
Monday to Sunday: 11am to 14pm and 16pm to 20pm.
How much does it cost to enter the Ecomuseum?
Over 16 years: € 2 // Minors: € 1.
Groups of more than 15 people: € 1.
The same ticket is used to visit the two headquarters of the Ecomuseum (Caunéu and Veigas).
Exemptions: groups visiting school, holders of the youth card and children under 6 years of age.
For group visits it is necessary to arrange them in advance on the phone 985 76 39 84 or by email ecomuseodesomiedo@gmail.com
Source: Network of Ethnographic Museums of Asturias Red Meda.
Photos: Juan Pablo Torrente. Red Meda 2020.
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
