Thread by @NickLovesSpain

Asturias is Spain's best-kept secret.

One of the most fascinating regions on Earth.

It's hard to do a place like this justice, but here's my best shot:

(a 🧵)

Declared an autonomous community in 1982, Asturias lies to the north as part of Green Spain.

It has three primary cities:

- Oviedo, the capital
- Gijón, the largest city and seaport
- Avilés, an industrial town

And many worthwhile towns & villages:

- Puerto de Vega
- Tapia de Casariego
- Luarca
- Navia
- Cudillero
- Luanco
- Bandujo
- Bowls
- Lastres
- Ribadesella
- Llanes
- Bulnes
- Espinaréu
- Cangas de Onís
- Taramundi
- Arenas de Cabrales

Not to mention the most Biosphere Reserves in the entire country at 7:

- Río Eo, Osco y Terras de Burón
- Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park
- Somiedo Natural Park
- Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park
- Redes Natural Park
- Ponga Natural Park

With the most impressive:

Picos de Europa.

And we can't forget its beaches:

- Silencio
- Gulpiyuri
- Rodiles
- Torimbia
- Ballota
- Poó
- Andrín
- Penarronda
- Aguilar
- Guadamía
- San Antonio
- Borizo
- Sablón
- Cobijeru
- La Franca
- El Rogolgueru
- Cuevas del Mar
- Cadavedo / La Ribeirona

And its natural wonders scattered throughout:

- Bufones de Pría
- La Cuevona de Cueves
- Alto de L’Angliru
- Cabo Vidio
- Lakes of Covadonga
- Sanctuary of Covadonga
- Oneta Waterfalls

... and many more.

Or its caves and rock shelters, with cave art dating back to 35,000 to 11,000 BC.

- Tito Bustillo
- Ardines
- Covaciella
- El Buxu
- El Conde / El Fornu
- El Demo
- El Pindal
- Entrefoces
- Fresnedo
- La Lluera- La Loja
- La Peña
- Llonín
- Los Azules
- Santo Adriano

And, well, come on — the food!

- Cachopo
- Fabada Asturiana
- Solomillo al Cabrales
- Chorizo a la Sidra
- Salmón en Sidra
- Tortos Asturianos
- Cochinillo Asturcelta Asado
- Carne Gobernada
- Fabes con Almejas
- Tortilla de Manzana
- Caldereta Asturiana
- Cachopo de Merluza

Food (continued)
- Merluza a la Sidra
- Mejillones en Salsa Picante
- Oricios
- Boroña Preñada
- Pitu de Caleya
- Bollos Preñaos
- Pote Asturiano
- Fritos de Rape
- Verdinas con Marisco
- Marmita de Bonito
- Farrapes
- Pastel de Cabracho
- Callos a la Asturiana

With a special emphasis on cheese:

- Cabrales
- Gamonéu
- Afuega’l Pitu
- Queso de los Beyos
- Taramundi
- Casín
- La Peral
- Varé
- Tres Leches de Pría
- Peña Tú

All washed down with their world-famous cider —

Served from up high in the Escanciar way.

And what Spanish region is complete without its events and festivals?

- Semana Grande de Gijón
- The International Descent of the Sella River
- Trasona Lake Festival (Corvera)
- Quirós-Lena Lamb Festival (Prau Llagüezos)

Events & Festivals (continued):

- Xiringüelu Pilgrimage (Pravia)
- Cider Festivals (Nava and Gijón)
- Virgen de la Guía Festival (Llanes)
- The Festival of San Mateo and the Day of America
- Semana Santa

and many, many more.

Or without its museums?

- Molinos Mazonovo
- Jurásico de Asturias
- Bellas Artes de Asturias
- Mining and Industry
- Minero Valle de Samuno
- Fernando Alonso
- Termas Romanas de Campo Valdes
- Etnográfico de Grandas de Salime
- La Mina de Arnao
- Ferrocarril

And beautiful architectural sites:

- Santa Maria del Naranco
- Laboral Ciudad de la Cultura
- Conjunto Etnografico de Teixois
- Monasterio de San Juan de Corias
- Iglesia de San Salvador de Valdedios
- Palacio de Revillagigedo
- Oviedo Cathedral

And many more.

It also has a history as a mining and steel region.

And has been described as the "Dinosaur Coast" thanks to footprints and bones from 150 million years ago.

With solid representation in various sports:

- Football
- Basketball
- Cycling
- Handball

And even its own sport from the region —

Asturian Bowling

And a type of bagpipe called the Gaita Asturiana.

And its own language, with around 550,000 speakers.

You see, Asturias is one of the world's best-kept secrets.

And well deserves your visit.

In fact, I'm sure this thread barely does the region justice.

Let me know in the comments what I missed 😆

And if you do go, consider visiting between June and September for optimal weather.

It can get pretty rainy in the north of Spain.

Now to end with a quote from renowned Asturian chef and restauranteur, José Andrés:

"Asturias is really, to a degree it’s a land of plenty. But to a degree it’s not. It’s not what you want when you want it. It’s when the land wants to give it to you. The river, the mountains, the sea... You have to respect the land first, and maybe then...

the land wants to give you something. In Asturias, many of the restaurants you’re gonna go to you’re gonna get this feeling. This is something beyond just the plate in front of you. It’s the understanding of the happiness that hardship gives you."

¡Viva Asturias!

Photo Credits:

📸: Sitios de España
📸: Interrailero
📸: Traveler
📸: Turismo Asturias
📸: Iberian Escapes
📸: Lonely Planet
📸: Kev MRC Travel
📸: Turismo Asturias
📸: Bon Viveur
📸: Cookidoo
📸: Los Caserinos
📸: The Crafty Cask

Photo Credits:

📸: Turismo Asturias
📸: Ciderlands
📸: Turismo Asturias
📸: Mi Viaje
📸: Seeking Alpha
📸: Turismo Asturias
📸: Real Avilés Industrial
📸: Explore Parts Unknown
📸: Wikipedia
📸: Wikipedia
📸: Fine Dining Lovers
📸: Expansión

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