Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Alles
Alles is located in the foothills of the Sierra del Cuera, and is the capital of the Peñamellera Alta Council. It is the most populated village in the region, known for its rich architectural heritage and rugged landscapes, which give it a unique charm.
The history of Alles began in the prehistoric caves of the neighbouring villages: Cueva de Coimbre, Cueva de Traúno, and Cueva de Llonín. Cave paintings and findings in these caves show us that humans have hunted, fished, and thrived in this region since Palaeolithic times.
As history advanced, Alles became a place of worship and religion. In mediaeval times, the Church of San Pedro de Plecín was built. It is built in a Romanesque-style and is made of limestone, and it has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest. It was initially built in the late 12th century on the site of a pre-Christian temple, and it was then expanded and renovated over the centuries. Its floorplan was originally rectangular, and it was expanded to the west in the 13th century. In the 15th century, renovation works added a porch, and in the 16th century, a funerary chapel was annexed to the north side of the church. This monastic site lies in ruins today, 500 metres from the population centre.
The Church of San Pedro de Plecín was abandoned when the Church of San Pedro de Alles was built in 1787. This Baroque-style parish church is located in the village alongside other mountain-style houses. It has three naves that are held up by pillars. The interior features a lowered choir, a baptistery with a marble baptismal font, and two sacristies. Notable exterior elements include two porticos on the south and north sides, a dome with an octagonal lantern, and a tower with a spire that serves as the belfry. Its ornamental richness and its liturgical accessories, particularly its five altars, are important features.
In addition to these religious constructions, Alles is home to the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Rosary, the Hermitage of Saint Roch, and the Queen of the Angels Hermitage that dates from the 18th century. Alles' heritage also includes the remains of an ancient mediaeval defensive tower, that was renovated by Domingo de Mier y Trespalacios. Known as the Tower of Lombero, it is named after the neighbourhood where it is located. It sits atop a large limestone rock, and remnants of the circular walls that once formed the tower can still be seen.
The Beekeeping School of the Picos de Europa has been open since 2003. This beekeeping facility is open to the public and it aims to share its passion for bees. Visitors learn about honey, how it is made, the lifecycle of bees, and other aspects of beekeeping. The facility has also published a guide to help visitors understand the gastronomic potential of this typical local product. The name "Peñamellera" itself comes from Peña-mielera, (miel means honey in Spanish) as this area used to produce a lot of honey.
Another typical gastronomic product in the area is the Peñamellera cheese, which is still available for you to enjoy in Alles. Its availability is symbolic of the effort that went into preserving it, as the local farmers very nearly stopped producing it.
Additionally, in the neighbouring village of Besnes, there is the second oldest rural hotel in Spain, called La Tahona de Besnes.
The patron saint festivities in Alles are celebrated on 13th June and on the second Saturday of August. Those days are the Feast of Saint Anthony and the Sacramental Festivities, respectively. Homage is paid with the processions and the traditional auctioning off of the bouquet. During the festivities local sports such as bowling are played, and the residents enjoy the popular banquets of Peñamellera Alta.