What to see in Avilés, from the Niemeyer Center to the ancient Villa de Asturias

I admit it: until I met him not long ago, I had no interest in visit Aviles, a Asturias.

But it is possible that it has also happened to you, because we all have in mind the image of a city where the industrial development of the steel industry It darkened its environment and the facades of houses and monuments.

However, after the disappearance of the steel facilities in the last decade of the 80s as a consequence of industrial reconversion, Avilés has undergone a significant transformation process.

And in this regard, within the framework of the project of the Innovation Island, the Niemeyer Center put it back to Avilés on the map of the tourist attractions of Asturias.

Niemeyer Center, a cultural magnet for visiting Avilés

El Niemeyer Center, regardless of the controversies that initially arose at its creation, has come to serve as a cultural and tourist magnet for Avilés.

Indeed, if you are now going to plan a trip to Asturias, surely you are curious to come to Avilés to see this great work of the contemporary architecture.

But when you go to see the Niemeyer, I recommend that you take a walk through the historic center of Avilés, the ancient Villa.

You will surely be surprised by the attractiveness of its streets with the typical northern houses, with porticoed galleries and balconies, and the terraces that give them a great atmosphere.

The extensive pedestrianization of historical Center It barely allows us to remember the past of an Avilés that was hostile to visitors.

Now instead walk through Avilés It is a delight, because you find beautiful corners and you can Watch monuments that remind you that its history dates back to the 10th century, and that la Villa It was the inside of a medieval fortified enclosure.

This is the experience of visiting Avilés, what to see and do

After the experience of our visit, I will now tell you the best Places to see and visit in Avilés.

Niemeyer Cultural Center

This very modern building, the main work in Europe of the prestigious Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, is the icon of the urban change that has occurred Avilés in the last decades.

El Niemeyer Cultural Center has its origin in the events celebrating the 25 years of the Prince of Asturias Awards, in 2006, which was attended by the prestigious Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, who had been awarded in 1998.

In gratitude, Niemeyer gifted Asturias with the design of a building, which began to become a reality in Avilés in 2008, when construction began on the so-called Niemeyer Cultural Center, which opened in March 2011.

El Niemeyer Center of Avilés It is the only example that you can see in Spain of the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, the only living architect whose work has been considered Heritage by Unesco.

And according to Niemeyer himself, this is his main work in Europe.

El Niemeyer Center was born taking as a model the great process of urban transformation that for the city of Bilbao has involved the architectural and cultural project of the Guggenheim Museum.

Today, the Niemeyer has a wide program of cultural events, from exhibitions and musical performances to theatre and film productions.

At the Niemeyer you can attend the performances by prestigious artists in the building of the Hall with capacity for almost 1.000 people, while the exhibitions take place in the Dome.

This capacity is expanded with the opening of the auditorium's outdoor stage, so that on the esplanade of the venue Niemeyer Center Up to 15.000 people have gathered, for example, at the performance of Woody Allen and his jazz group during the opening ceremony.

For the Niemeyer Center auditorium prominent artists have already passed through, such as jackson brown, Aute, Victor Manuel, Vetusta Morla, Light casal, Maria Pages.

Here you can check the programming of cultural activities at the Niemeyer, and here you can sign up for guided tours.

Plaza de España, the heart of the historic center of Avilés

The easiest thing is to start your walk from the center Spanish squarea (It is advisable to leave the car in the underground parking lot in the pedestrian plaza).

This large enclosure is presided over by the building of the Aviles City Council, from the end of the 17th century, and opposite you find the Ferrera Palace, from the same century, and which is now the headquarters of the hotel Aviles Palace.

Behind the historic building is a large park that was once the palace gardens.

San Nicolas de Bari, a 13th century Franciscan church

Leaving the Spain Square awarded by the San Francisco street, the northeast side, next to the Ferrera Palace You will see a large grove.

Behind her the cover of the San Nicolás de Bari church, which was built by the Franciscans in the 13th century.

Traditional grocery store in Avilés

Right in front of the church, under the porticoed gallery, it is worth entering the only large grocery store which is in Avilés.

These stores, where you can buy everything imaginable, are the antecedents of supermarkets.

This type of traditional establishment, on the verge of disappearing, was where the locals of the towns of the North supplied themselves with food and all kinds of products for the home.

Balsera Palace

Advancing through the San Francisco street, a building on the corner on the right will surely catch your attention due to its ornate decoration.

This is the Balsera Palace, from 1917, which is now the headquarters of the Avilés Conservatory of Music.

Galiana Street, the most popular street in Avilés

You then arrive at the Galiana street, perhaps the most popular in Avilés.

There are houses waiting for you with balconies and, above all, a long porticoed gallery that characterizes this street where tapas bars and restaurants are concentrated.

Casa Arias de la Noceda, house of Indians in Avilés

On the left side of the Galiana street You will discover, through the striking red color of the façade, an ancient indiano's house.

This is the Arias House of Noceda, built in 1883, next to which a tall palm tree contrasts.

Church of the Franciscan Fathers in Avilés

After returning to the Spain Square, leaving through the Ferreria Street, heading southeast you soon arrive before the church of the Franciscan Fathers.

Its rustic Romanesque style façade warns you of its age (12th-13th centuries).

Palace of the Marquis of Camposagrado

In the nearby Camposagrado squareTowards the north, you find a large building with an imposing façade in the Asturian baroque style (late 17th century), more sober than usual.

Is Palace of the Marquis of Camposagrado, an old defensive building, with two large side towers.

La Cámara Street, the commercial street of Avilés

Very close is the Camera Street, the great commercial street of the historic center of Avilés.

The street begins at Spain Square and reaches the marketplace, next to the port neighborhood of sabugo.

In short, a pleasant walk through a town that will surely surprise you.

Where to sleep in Avilés

Looking ahead to your getaway, among the accommodation options you find in Avilés, without a doubt the aforementioned Palacio de Avilés Affiliated By Melia, a 5 star result of the remodeling of the aforementioned ferrera palace, and which previously belonged to the NH chain.

It is a very comfortable hotel and very well rated by those of us who have stayed there, on whose austere exterior stone façade, with a single tower, the large heraldic shield in the center of it stands out.

Its decoration combines the most modern design with elements that recall the palace style of the building.

Map: where Avilés is and how to get there

The town of Avilés is located half an hour west of Gijón and 40 minutes northwest of Oviedo, in Asturias.