The Castro de Coaña

History of the Castro de Coaña

Known as the CastrillónFrom there, the passage of the Navia estuary was monitored and defended. The Roman conquest made it a key square. The mission was to guarantee the gold traffic coming from nearby mines. Under the command of the Roman Empire, its moment of greatest vitality will be the second half of the first century after Christ. The results of the constant excavations in this environment, from the first archaeological works in the XNUMXth century, seem to confirm that the town dates back to a pre-Roman era. A first indigenous settlement would be responsible for the circular dwellings. During the Roman occupation, those with a rectangular plan would be built. Coins from the time of Caesar and earlier have appeared, the most numerous correspond to the government of Augustus. Coins of Tiberius, Claudius and Quintilo have also been found, as early as the 14rd century. Although its pre-Roman origin is difficult to date, the generalization that the Asturian forts are linked to the Roman occupation has recently been questioned. Carbon-XNUMX dating offers chronologies of the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries BC for other renowned Asturian forts such as San Chuis or Chao San Martín, until now considered to be of Roman foundation.

Whatever its origin, we walk along the path that leads to the heart of the ancestral town. We went through an impressive stepped wall and we observe the remains of a rectangular tower that strategically defended the entrance to the interior enclosure known as The Acropolis. Between the wall and the acropolis, in the North slope of the hill the urban nucleus of the town extends, denominated northern district. The size of the buildings, whether houses, warehouses, workshops ... varies between the 4 and 6 meters in diameter for the circular ones, and the 5 x 12 meters for the rectangular ones. In some, a central home is preserved, as well as millstones and large blocks of granite.

However, what will not attract attention is the area known as Sacral enclosure where there are two groups of constructions, one older than the other, related, presumably, with the cult of water. The first consists of a chamber with apse, semioval pool, paved floor and channels; the second is shown through an antechamber that precedes a large chamber; a door gives access to a large granite pool. Although its old use is still very controversial, everything seems to fit in a thermal installation. Yes, very rustic and elementary.

In a small valley adjacent to the castro is the didactic classroom of the Archaeological Park of the Navia Basin, whose contents deal with the castreña culture, the 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 Espín. there we take the AS-12 road towards Grandas de Salime. After passing the town of Coaña, you can access the fort and the didactic classroom through a detour located 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

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 Stela, a round stone of great dimension. It is believed that it belonged to the castro and that it was linked to funerary or solar cults, later it became Christianized and began to be called Piedra de Nuestra Señora. It is located in a house at the exit of the Villa, and has become an emblematic element 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.