Taramundi: what to see and do, routes, how to get there

Taramundi on the map

Latitude: 43.3609695 Length: -7.1083903
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"Taramundi" is a town: "the village" ; also a beautiful municipality and a name with such a special sound that just pronouncing it evokes the tranquility of its landscapes, the hospitality of its people, and the artisanal spirit that underpins a whole way of life. Here, sustainability is the norm, not just a statement of intent that no one puts into practice. Its inhabitants firmly believe in what they do; they want to keep their rural world alive and prevent depopulation, recovering their roots with their crafts and customs. A constant effort to guarantee the present and future of their economy and their community.

Taramundi's villa

The council's capital is one of the most beautiful villages in Asturias . It sits in a small, mid-mountain valley surrounded by gentle hills. In its main street, Plaza del Poyo , an oak tree was planted in 1584 when King Philip II granted the village the title of town. This oak survived until 1998, when it had to be cut down due to its poor condition. A carving made from its wood still graces this square. It is a truly emblematic place where, in times past, the villagers gathered to decide on matters concerning the town.

Just a short walk away, we can visit the parish church of San Martín de Taramundi, a beautiful church founded in the 18th century. Its tall, solid tower can be seen from anywhere in the village and the surrounding area. Inside, we discover its three naves separated by arcades and its three beautifully crafted, gilded, and polychrome altarpieces. The main altarpiece is Baroque, while the other two are Neoclassical.

Nearby is Manuel Lombardero Square, featuring a rather unusual sculpture dedicated to a teacher . This was a much-loved figure who transformed the local school into a regional landmark, educating and training several generations of children who later had to navigate life in the Americas. In gratitude for his work, his former students funded a bust in his memory in 1951.

Taramundi: the origin of rural tourism in Spain

The old Rectory, built in the 18th century and located in a high area of the village, is a palatial building that today houses a rural accommodation; but not just any accommodation but "the first rural hotel in Spain".

The Hotel La Rectoral is well worth a visit, not only for accommodation, but also to enjoy its excellent cuisine or a glass of cider with one of the best views in Taramundi. Opened in 1986 with its four stars, it was a groundbreaking initiative at the time , considered madness by many, given its location (such a hotel) in a town with fewer than a thousand inhabitants, difficult to access, and surrounded by nature. The concept of rural tourism and its potential audience were still being defined, but after its success, this initiative became a national benchmark, attracting numerous tourism professionals to the area to train in this new approach. At that time, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) was conducting a study to identify locations for establishing "Rural Tourism Hubs," and the people of Taramundi saw this as an opportunity to showcase their artisan traditions and the beauty of their landscapes. They restored abandoned houses, championed the preservation of watermills, created museums, opened craft shops and restaurants for tourists, and began offering specialized courses such as those aimed at improving knife-making skills…

artisan cutlery

The municipality of Taramundi has held the title of Area of Artisanal Interest since 2005. This is due to the municipality's deep-rooted tradition of cutlery making, primarily linked to the development of the iron ore industry throughout the 18th century. This industry thrived in the area thanks to iron ore deposits , abundant water, and extensive forests that provided fuel for the forges. Hydraulic engineering innovations in the region also allowed for greater exploitation of the area's geophysical conditions, resulting in increased skill in working the ore deposits. This ultimately led to Taramundi gaining considerable renown for its craftsmanship, both nationally and internationally.

In the 19th century, there were over 100 artisan workshops producing all kinds of tools, with knives and pocketknives being particularly noteworthy. This explains why, as you wander through the streets and alleyways, visiting some of the artisan shops, these locally made knives and pocketknives are so prevalent, and why the local forge enjoys such prestige. Quality is the norm, as is variety, with production encompassing all kinds of items that can be fully customized to the buyer's specifications.

The knives of Taramundi

The handcrafted knives of Taramundi are the latest jewel in a long metallurgical evolution that dates back to… Read more

Without leaving the village, you can visit the "La Cuchillería de Taramundi" artisan workshop , where you'll discover, step by step, the dedication involved in crafting knives. In the hamlet of Veiga de Llan, you can visit two workshops and appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of wood carving and iron forging. The knife-making process involves over 50 steps.

We can also visit the "Taramundi Cutlery Museum" in the village of Pardiñas, three kilometers from the town. In addition to the educational exhibit on the craft, this museum is known for housing a giant knife at its entrance , the largest in the world at 7,20 meters long and weighing 1.500 kilograms.

Water route and ethnographic sites

Taramundi attracts visitors because of the number of places of interest that can be visited within a short distance, so it is best to stop by the local tourist office where they will give us complete information on all the options and the entire schedule of activities.

The Water Route is one of the most popular itineraries and begins near the tourist office. It follows the Tena River valley and offers a beautiful and easily accessible circular route of about 10 kilometers. The most highly recommended sites along this route are also accessible by car, such as the ethnographic trio of Taramundi: Os Teixois, the Ski Museum, and the Mazonovo Mill Museum.

Ethnography in Taramundi

We would have to go back two or three centuries to understand many things about our 21st century. To do a… Read more

In these sets we understand first-hand the importance of hydraulic devices in post-feudal Asturian villages. The energies that they were capable of generating were used, among other things, to improve the quality and resistance of the clothing, provoke forces to grind the grain, sharpen and mold the iron. A little later they would even generate electric light. Visiting these facilities also guarantees us some very cool photos, as there are few places as photogenic as this one.

The Castro de Os Castros is another of Taramundi's attractions. This significant archaeological site is located at the beginning of the aforementioned water route, making it easily accessible on foot from the town itself. It is an early settlement occupied from the Bronze Age (3500 BC to 2000 BC) until the Roman conquest in the 3rd century BC. Although some areas remain to be excavated, the visit provides a sense of the settlement's true size, including the dwellings and a unique Castro sauna.

The Bres Village Craft Centre is another possible cultural destination in the municipality. Located 4,5 kilometers from Taramundi, it is housed in the old Villanueva Manor House. During the visit, you can learn firsthand about the crafting processes of various artisans and meet the artisans themselves.

In Bres, it's well worth strolling through the streets, as this town preserves magnificent examples of traditional architecture, such as granaries and raised granaries. It also boasts an excellent colonial-style mansion, the former schoolhouse, which now houses La Casa del Agua (The Water House ). This center is very informative regarding the historical and geographical origins of hydraulic engineering.

From the water route, we can also take a detour to visit one of the municipality's biggest attractions: the A Salgueira waterfall . It's about a half-hour walk to reach it from the branch where we turn off. The path is somewhat challenging, but the view of the waterfall at the end is well worth the effort. The best time to see it in all its splendor is during winter or spring.

Upon reaching kilometer 6 from the start of the Water Route , we reach As Veigas , a beautiful village that has been restored preserving all its essence and where we can have some cider and a good snack.

Typical gastronomy of Taramundi

The dishes are always delicious and varied, made with top-quality ingredients. Beef and local sausages are particularly noteworthy. Among the most typical recipes are fabes (Asturian bean stew), callos (tripe stew), and trout from the local rivers. If you have a sweet tooth, we recommend trying the frixuelos (Asturian crepes). Special mention must be made of their cheeses , one of those products that has matured slowly and carefully, transitioning from the peasant kitchen to restaurant plates and shop displays without losing an ounce of its artisanal flavor.