Pre Roman routes through Asturias
Between the numerous different artistic treasures which have been conserved in the Principality of Asturias, the most impressive are the innovative and original Pre Roman art, preserved amongst 14 buildings constructed between the 8th and 10th century. In 1985 they were declared as recognised Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO.
We begin our journey in the capital of Asturias, Oviedo, the ancient head quarters of the Kings of Asturias. In the town we visit the San Tirso el Real church, originally founded for King Alfonso II el Casto, which boasts a central apse, friezes and roman bases, and the Cámara Santa which is used to store the cathedral's impressive relics such as the figurines of the 12 apostles which act as guardians of the vault. Then at the end of Calle Gascona you can see the Fuente de la Foncalada, constructed during the reign of Alfonso III el Magno, then on to the San Julian de los Prados ( Santullano ) which is the best preserved of the Asturian Pre Roman constructions. On the Monte Naranco you'll find two impressive buildings in Ramiro style ( constructed during the reign of Ramiro I and his son Ordoño I ,842 - 866 ) and the second floor of the Santa Maria del Naranco palace, the remains of the San Miguel de Lillo church which luckily still has the beautiful embossed decorations and the remains of ancient paintings, then finally on to the Santa Maria de Bendones church which has some remains of an ancient mural.

In the foot hills of Puerto de Pajares, on the outskirts of Pola de Lena, you'll find the Templo de Santa Cristina de Lena , with many similarities to the Santa Maria del Naranco church yet a visible Visigoth influence. Continuing on the road to A Coruña until Trubia , where we take a local road on to Llanera, where we find the San Pedro de Nora church, constructed during the reign of Alfonso II el Casto dating back to the initial era.

We continue on from Trubia until Teverga, where we take a stop in Santo Adriano. Here we visit the impressive Santo Adriano de Tuñón church which dates back to the initial era with a cruder style than previously seen. We then rejoin the road until Pravia, where you'll find the Basilica de San Juan de Santianes, the oldest temple in Asturias ( 774 - 783 ) and amongst the conserved ruins there are columns from the Arco de Triunfo, decorative pieces and part of the old labyrinth inscription stone of Silo.

We finish our route on the picturesque Asturian coast, the first place we stop is in the municipal of Villaviciosa, where you'll find the San Salvador de Valdedios church, which dates back from the initial era ( the reign of Alfonso III el Magno, 866 - 910 ) and has original horseshoe arches and some very important historical murals inside. Also we visit the church of San Salvador de Priesca, with its crude interior as well as some remaining lattice windows and ruins of old interior murals.

We take the final part of our journey and arrive in Colunga, where we visit the Santiago Gobiendes church, constructed during the first quarter of the 10th century. This ancient church has two initial apses, brick arches, traditional wood coverings, horseshoe arches and a beautiful "Ajimezada" window