Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Villamayor
Along the verdant banks of the Piloña River lies Villamayor. This village is nestled in beautiful natural surroundings approximately 20 km from Cangas de Onis, a historic place with a rich cultural past.
This inland Asturias town is home to emblematic monuments of the region like the St. Mary of Villamayor Monastery. It was originally a Romanesque building from the 12th-13th century and still has its chevet and the entrance to the church. It is built on a single nave crowned by a barrel vault and a quarter sphere vault in the apse. The apse and the decoration with plant motifs on its capitals are especially interesting. Over history, it has had several uses. It began as a monastery for Benedictine nuns and as an inn for those parishioners who made the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Then it was used as a cemetery until the confiscations of Mendizábal and later it was a prison before being converted back to a school in 1910. This monument has been well preserved and was named a Site of Cultural Interest and a National Monument.
Next to the Monastery is St. Peter's Parish Church from the last century. This Asturian Site of Cultural Interest replaces its 18th century predecessor. The floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross and its lunette vault provides plenty of natural light. There is an impressive bell tower outside next to the entrance door. Inside there is an interesting neo-baroque altarpiece from the Asturian workshop of Félix Granda.
In addition to religious architecture, Villamayor has other monuments such as the Pastrana House. It was built in 1851 and has a carved wooden hallway, Romanesque eaves, and corbels. But undoubtedly, the most remarkable thing about the house is a Roman burial tablet located on its facade. It bears an epitaph dedicated to Oculatio which tells us that Villamayor has an ancient history. It reads as follows: Monument to Oculatio Segisamo, son of Cangilo, of the people of the Viromenigos, 30 years old. This stele was found next to the Piloña river and was placed on the house's facade in 1865 and has remained there ever since.
There is also another series of buildings from the end of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Indian style of Villamayor's inhabitants who emigrated to America. These include works by architect Manuel Busto Delgado like the Sotiello Palace, the House of Emilio Lozana, and the House of the Villanueva family. Even before the 20th century there was a casino in town as a result of these influences. On the other hand, there are beautiful examples of traditional Asturian architecture houses with details such as corridors, galleries, and doorways, as well as other Asturian structures such as hórreos and paneras (granaries on stilts) and cobblestone streets.
The Modesto Montoto route is another one of the town's attractions. This individual was an artist who reflected through capturing Asturian rural society through portraits, landscapes, and urban photography. He spent most of his life in Villamayor and there are ten points along this route where you can see the town through Modesto Montoto's life.
Another interesting option is a trail located in the dense forest near Villamayor that leads to the Chorrón waterfall. It is a short path through ferns and lush trees full of horse chestnut, hazel, and oak. Walking along the Pequeño River, you will reach a sensational waterfall located under a natural canopy. Once you reach the Chorrón waterfall, you can continue to hike up some steps that lead to an idyllic panorama of the mountain slopes.
An interesting side note: Villamayor is where the concept of Chupa-Chups, an internationally successful candy, was born. This is where its inventor Enric Bernat designed the idea for this highly popular lollipop.
The town celebrates Corpus Christi for several days with processions, solemn masses, and recreational activities. In mid-November, they also hold a chestnut festival in the Town Hall square that includes music, children's games, and chestnuts.