Construction of the cathedral began in the early 14th century on the ruins of two pre-Romanesque and Romanesque basilicas. Thanks to the relics housed there, the cathedral received pilgrims throughout the Middle Ages, becoming an obligatory stop before continuing on the Camino de Santiago. The single tower became a highly visible landmark for pilgrims ; perhaps because it was so singular, it appeared even more majestic from afar.
How many towers does the Cathedral of Oviedo have?
The first thing that strikes you upon arriving at Oviedo Cathedral Square is that it only has one tower , quite unlike the rest of European Gothic architecture. It seems the architects of the time opted for this solution due to financial constraints and a host of technical problems, including seismic activity.
How tall is the tower of the Cathedral of Oviedo?
The tower is over 70 meters high , and the one who best described it was Leopoldo Alas Clarín in La Regenta: "it rose like a strong castle, launching itself from there in a pyramid of graceful angle, inimitable in its measurements and proportions."
The visit to the tower, from 2022
On our visit, we must ascend single file the nearly 200 steps of a spiral staircase that leads to the top floor of the tower, an iconic space located 46 meters above the ground (the equivalent of 15 stories). But before reaching it, there are several intermediate stops planned.
On the first floor is the bell counterweight system , and we can admire the plaster casts used for the restoration of the tower after the Civil War.
The second stop will be in the bell tower, where the seven current bells are located, including the oldest bell in all of Spain still in use: the one known as "Wamba ," cast in 1219. Also on this floor, we discover the clock mechanism, a piece from 1787 from the workshop of Ramón Durán, which can be seen through a large open window. During the recent restoration work, important details about the cathedral's history have come to light, such as its appearance before the Civil War—confirmed by some old postcards found by chance. According to this discovery, the church had three more bells, which we can see on an explanatory panel.
At the third stop, the Renaissance section, we'll observe the impressive details of the cathedral's spire. We'll be able to take photographs and see from the inside the spectacular openwork spire that crowns the tower. We'll also see unique details of the animal gargoyles—fantastic, monstrous, and anthropomorphic—such as the faun in a burlesque pose , exposing his backside; one of the most striking and symbolic of its time.
From this last floor we also get some totally unprecedented views of Oviedo. The point of view under which the Magistral of 'La Regenta' unfolded his spyglass.
Interesting information
The visits are accompanied, but not guided. However, there are explanatory panels and QR codes to download information along the route: in the counterweight section (56 steps), in the bell tower (67 steps), and in the Renaissance section (61 steps).
It is necessary to climb lightly, with your hands free, appropriate footwear, in line and without hurry. It is also not allowed to go up with flip flops or heels, nor carry backpacks or large packages.
Up to 100 people a day, 20 per shift, can enjoy this experience that lasts approximately one hour.
They can be done from Monday to Saturday and have a price of €8.
Climbing the tower is not an activity suitable for everyone . It is not advisable for children of a certain age, the elderly, and people who lack reasonable physical ability, or suffer from reduced mobility, visual impairment, cardiorespiratory problems, vertigo, claustrophobia, etc.
Before starting the ascent, the cathedral staff provides us with a brief explanation of the safety measures to be taken. It is forbidden to carry large backpacks, tripods, suitcases, baby seats or any other large object.
More information on 985 219 642
https://catedraldeoviedo.com/visita-cultural/visita-a-la-torre-gotica
Text: © Ramón Molleda for asturias.com
