Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Avín
Avín is a locality that falls under Benia de Onís, which is located very close to its population centre, just 1.5 km away. This village, which lives mainly off livestock farming and rural tourism, offers a wide variety of accommodation for visitors to rest, enjoy the surroundings, and get ready for their adventures in the magnificent surroundings.
Right inside the village of Avín, there are traces of the prehistoric fauna that lived there, specifically in the Cueva de La Peruyal. Inside this cave, the remains of a fossilized rhinoceros calf from over 45,000 years ago are preserved. This a unique find in Europe. For a long time, it was thought to be the remains of a bear, which is why many people call it the Cueva del Oso (Bear Cave). The difficult access and risk of damage to this archaeological gem means that it is not open to the public. You can however, see a replica at the Avín Ice-Age Fauna Interpretation Centre.
The interpretation centre is located in the Cueva de Avín or La Cuevona, where there is an exhibition of realistic replicas of the fauna that lived in the eastern part of Asturias during the ice age. Some of the species that can be seen along this 500-metre stretch include the mammoth, the giant elk, the cave lion, the woolly rhinoceros, or the sabre-toothed tiger.
These replicas are showcased in an exhibition hall that is unique in that it is a natural cave that has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The exhibition is supplemented with videos and information panels that transport visitors back to the Picos de Europa of thousands of years ago.
Part of Avín's heritage also shows Roman influence. Nearby you can see a section of the Roman road called Caoro, which now runs along the same route as the Royal Road. This road connected Cangas de Onís and Cabrales. There are also other Roman legacies such as bridges.
Within the population centre, a leisurely stroll will take you past sturdy houses that are architecturally very interesting, as they are examples of the popular mountain style. Notable examples include the Casa del Campu, the house dedicated to Saint Joseph, the house of La Cueva, the house of La Corralada, and the old barracks. Noteworthy features include wooden corridors and expansive eaves adorning their roofs. These constructions trace their origins back to the mid-17th century.
One of the most outstanding examples of Avín’s traditional gastronomy is the Gamonéu cheese. This cheese was produced in the huts on the western massif of the Picos de Europa. Because of the climate in this area, the cheese was smoked during cold seasons as the first step in its production. The cheese was then taken to caves to be matured. The cheese is now protected by the Designation of Protected Origin.
Festivities in Avín are celebrated in honour of Saint Joseph in March. The tradition is to parade the saint in a procession that marches to the beat of the pipers band of Onís. A high mass is also said, and finally, as is customary in this area of Asturias, the bouquet is auctioned off.