History and Heritage
Our history and heritage tours take you back in time to Asturias’ unique past.
Asturias’ history started millions of years ago when dinosaurs roamed its coast. In the Paleolithic, our ancestors left incredible cave art, such as in World Heritage Site Tito Bustillo.
The Romans built bridges, aqueducts and public baths. The Reconquista started in Asturias with the famous Battle of Covadonga in 722. Here, Asturias’ first King Pelayo defeated the Arabs. During the subsequent reign of the Asturian dynasty (722-910), the pre-Romanesque style was born. You can still visit some pre-Romanesque buildings, for example San Julián de los Prados and Santa MarÃa del Naranco in Oviedo.
In the 19th and 20th century, thousands of Asturians emigrated to ‘Las Americas’. The people who returned (Indianos) built large mansions inspired by Latin- American architecture. You can still visit many of them today.
The Industrial Revolution, especially the development of coal and iron mines, and the resultant iron and steel industry still shapes the current Asturian identity and culture.
Our history and heritage tours let you discover all these aspects of Asturias’ past. Select one of the tours listed below, or let us design a customized tour for you to dive intoAsturias‘ unique history!
This day tour brings you back to the prehistory in Asturias! Asturias has a great variety of prehistoric treasures. You...
This tour brings you to the Arnao mine, Europe’s first submarine mine. Submerge yourself in the original mine shaft and...
Ancestry Tour
Were your (great)grandparents from Asturias and migrated to ‘the Americas’? And are you curious to learn more about their homeland?...
This guided walking tour shows you the highlights of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias. Together with a private, local, and...