Culture

Talavero Palace Complex and Sirviella Tower

The Talavero Palace and Sirviella Tower stand facing each other, practically gazing at one another across the road that connects the towns of Talavero and Sirviella. Both structures seem to grow out of this beautiful landscape of greenery, ancient chestnut trees, and mountains.

If we go along the path that runs parallel to the River Güeña, we will come to the Talavero Palace Complex on the right, in the middle of a vast meadow. This mansion is built in the Asturian popular architecture style with sophisticated features built over three storeys. The building conserves outstanding examples of this popular style, such as a porch, a wooden corridor on its third floor, and overhanging eaves. However, from the original site, only the front of the emblazoned mansion remains, with the coat of arms above the door and the ornamentation in the form of balls on the roof still preserved.

The Sirviella Tower, also known by the locals as "La Casona," is a civil architecture building from the late 16th century, and is a fine example of the transition between the late mediaeval and Renaissance styles. It is built on three floors. The first was used as a wine cellar and carriage stable, the second floor held the main hall, and the top floor hosted the bedrooms. However, according to the villagers there was an incident, where the building either caught fire or collapsed in on itself, and consequently, it had to be restored in 1994. This cube shaped building is noted for its whitewashed façade and some of its features, such as the semicircular arch that welcomes visitors at the entrance. The Arab-influenced decorations, such as the bifora windows or the alfiz moulding around the upper window and the coat of arms of the Posada family that crowns that same window, are worth taking a look at. The type of materials used in the corners of the tower, are worthy of note, as those in the north are made of limestone and those in the south are made of sandstone. This layout is intended to protect the mansion from water. Sirviella Tower has been classified as a Cultural Heritage Monument of Artistic and Historical Importance since 2004.

Both buildings belonged to the same family, and there is a legend among the villagers that there is a passage connecting Talavero Palace and Sirviella Tower. Apparently no one has ever seen it, but that is what the villagers say.