Pravia is a beautiful council area in the Principality of Asturias. Forming part of the region of Avilés, it’s a place to enjoy history, beautiful landscapes and the impressive surroundings of the River Nalón.
Pravia is also the name of a parish - one of 15 that make up the council area, comprising a total population of more than 10,000 inhabitants. The main population centres are: Arango, Cordovero, Corias, Escoredo, Folgueras, Inclán, Pronga, Quinzanas, Sandamías, Santianes, Selgas, Somao, Villafría,Villavaler and Pravia itself, which, with more than 7,000 inhabitants, has the highest population density.
All these places make the area an ideal destination to escape to for a few days and to get to know what was once the capital of the Christian kingdom of Asturias. You will love strolling through the streets of Pravia and discovering the beauty that the river Nalón leaves in its wake.
What to see in the area of Pravia? As you can imagine, there are many places of interest that are worth a visit.
Starting with one of its parishes, Santianes, we find the oldest church in Asturias. It is the church of San Juan Apóstol, which dates back to the 8th century and is one of the pre-Romanesque jewels of Asturias. To find out more about the history of this church, look for the remains of a now-ruined part of the structure in the area surrounding the Pre-Romanesque Museum, where you can read a stone inscription that names Prince Silo as the temple’s founder
The historic centre of the town of Pravia is ideal for a stroll that takes in many charming scenes. One of them is the Palace of Moutas, which is where the Town Hall is located today.
The collegiate church is another of the central points to see, next to which stands the statue of King Silo, who is very closely linked to the history of this area. But if there’s one thing that identifies the town, it’s the chapel of Nuestra Señora del Valle, where the image of the patron saint can be found.
Meanwhile, the village of Somao is one of the reference points of colonial architecture in Asturias. Mixed with buildings of other styles and periods, this characteristic architectural form is a striking feature of the town. The beauty of the contrasts has earned the town protected status.
Lastly, in the village of Luerces we find a chapel with outstanding, perfectly preserved Romanesque paintings decorating its walls.
All in all, there’s far too much to see in a day, so we recommend staying in one of the holiday cottages in the area. You’ll enjoy fully equipped accommodation with all the comforts that you need to make this a holiday to remember.
There’s plenty to do in the surrounding area too, as Pravia is surrounded by beautiful villages such as Palla, a unique village with spectacular, picture-perfect views. Other towns not to be missed are Salas, with its castle, Cornellana, with its monastery, and Tineo, which looks like something out of a book of fairytales.
If you have some time left over, enjoy a visit to one of the area's traditional cheese dairies and taste one of its star products.
