Puntos de Interés
Municipality
Llanuces
Located in the Cantabrian Mountains in the area known as la España Verde (Green Spain), is the village of Llanuces (Chanuces in Asturian). The village belongs to the parish of Quirós and is located in the southern part of the Principality of Asturias, 7 km from Bárzana and at an altitude of 870 m. It has a very pronounced relief that integrates rural activity with a large area of forest.
This village grew mainly with the arrival of coal mining in the area in the 19th century. The mines were sunk in Quirós, and both the coal and the iron obtained were transported to the village of Trubia (Oviedo), using a mining railway with wooden wagons, each of which could carry 2.5 tonnes. The last mines were closed in 1998 and it is still possible to see the old railway line in Llanuces.
With the arrival of the 1990s and the end of mining activity, the village’s economic activity was redirected towards rural tourism, still prominent today, together with livestock farming.
The hermitage of San Xuan was located in Llanuces, mentioned as early as A.D. 891 as a donation received by the Monastery of Saints Adriano and Natalia from King Alfonso III "The Great" and his wife Doña Jimena. It is thought that it was the parish church until the present church dedicated to Santa María was built in 1549. The hermitage was destroyed after the fire of Villar de Cienfuegos in 1899, so that today it is only possible to glimpse at what it was, being able to identify two monolithic windows, remains of the painting that decorated the apse and the corbels lacking ornaments.
The church of Saint María de Llanuces has a gabled roof and a single nave, inside which there is a side chapel with a Baroque crucifix by the sculptor Antonio Borja – the only example preserved in Asturias of Christ tied to the column in this style. Also characteristic of this church are its Solomonic columns decorated with bunches of grapes and green leaves.
With regard to its civil architectural heritage, it is worth mentioning the Palace of Miranda Quirós, which dates back to the 16th century and was devastated by a fire started by French troops during the Peninsular War, leaving only its façade standing. It has since been restored and consists of an Asturian mansion, two other houses and outbuildings.
One of the most notable events in the area is the Fiesta del Cordero (Lamb festival), declared to be of National Tourist Interest, held on the first Sunday in July with the arrival of summer. This festival has been held since 1965 and brings together all the residents of Quirós and Lena at Prau LLagüezos, 4 km from Llanuces, where, along with the roast lamb, various activities such as cider tasting and regional dances can be enjoyed, along with the awarding of the Güelos de Armes prize.