Hotel Norte

Covadonga es el lugar más...

by Rumbero

Covadonga es el lugar más visitado de Asturias, motivado sin duda por su bella
Basílica, la Cueva de la Santina excavada en roca, donde se venera a la
Virgen y patrona de Asturias y también por esa aureola de leyenda que envuelve
a esta zona en relación con la historia de Asturias. Covadonga es una combinación
de raíces patrióticas y profunda fe de los fieles. Es el punto en donde se inició la
Reconquista, la leyenda cuenta que Pelayo junto con un ejército de astures se refugió en estas montañas y allí luchó contra el ejército musulmán en el año
722 en la famosa Batalla de Covadonga.
Los astures derrotaron a los musulmanes pese a la superioridad en número de estos últimos, la leyenda cuenta que la Santina ayudó al noble Pelayo a derrotar al ejército árabe. En relación con esto hay varias versiones, unas afirman que Pelayo vio en el cielo una cruz rodeada de luz con las palabras 'A Hoc signo vincitur inimicus' (se vence al enemigo con el signo de la cruz), mientras que otras afirman que Pelayo llegó a la Cueva del Auseva persiguiendo a un malhechor y que un ermitaño que cuidaba con veneración una imagen rústica de la Virgen, le dijo que invocara la protección divina de la Virgen para lograr el triunfo de las armas cristianas. Un testigo de piedra proclama el triunfo astur sobre los musulmanes a través de la siguiente leyenda 'Aquí en el monte Auseva, morada inmemorial de la Virgen, renació la España de Cristo con la gran victoria de Pelayo y de sus fieles sobre los enemigos de la Cruz'. El Real Sitio de Covadonga ofrece en todo su conjunto una belleza extraordinaria y cautivadora, constituye una puerta natural al Parque Nacional de los Picos de Europa ya que tan sólo a 12
km y ascendiendo a través de una estrecha y empinada carretera se llega a los bellísimos parajes donde se encuentran los Lagos de Enol y La Ercina.

asturnut's Gijon/Xixon Page

by asturnut

"Gijon/Xixon, Asturies' largest city"

Xixon (the name of Gijon in the language of Asturies), is a really cool city. I visited Gijon several times and only got to see a tiny fraction of what the city has to offer. It is said that for most of the year Oviedo (the capital of Asturies) is the most important city in the region, but in the summer, Gijon is the most important city, because everyone flocks there to enjoy what the seaside city has to offer. Xixon is the biggest and most populated city in Asturies. It was founded in 29 C.E. by the Romans, who after a long fight, finally got a foothold in Asturias (Asturias was never really conquered though!) But although the city has a lot of history, it is a very contemporary city.

The thing I enjoyed most about Asturias is it's quaintness, but there is nothing quaint about Xixon. It is a sleek, sophisticated city, with fine dining, entertainment, business conventions, classy boutiques, etc. It's style is a little different than the rest of Asturias, it feels more modern with a bit more of a Mediterranean vibe. Less than 35% of the people who live in Gijon are actually native Asturians, which I guess contributes to the why the city is so distinct. It's a nice place to visit for the day, but I think if you want to see the real Asturias, you should limit your time in trendy Gijon.

"In summertime Gijon comes alive"

Of course, the main reason people from Asturias go to Gijon in the summer is for the ocean & the beaches (and I guess with the hope of meeting someone to have a good time!) People are of course drawn to the sunbathing, boating, sailing, etc Gijon offers. The influx of young people into the city results in a very lively nightlife. Hip clubs are brimming with young party-goers. There are many festivals during the summer during which everyone parties well into the night. The ultimate party in Gijon is during Semana Negra (Black Week.) The city doesn't sleep for a week. There are carnival rides, concerts, cultural activities and of course drinking. I really enjoyed the free concerts. I had a great time and can't wait to go back to catch what I missed.

This is a partial aerial view of the city and beaches in Gijon borrowed from www.hotelhernancortes.es/fotos1

"20 Reasons to Visit Gijon"

I recently received a brochure entitled "20 razones para visitar Gijon-Xixon" (20 reasons to visit Xixon.) It was a really good summary of the pros of the city. I'll paraphrase & translate the short list of points that struck a chord with me:
# 3 A city of musuems (see my tips)
#6 A good city for shopping
#7 A city of modern sculpture (see my tips)
#14 A city with the flavor of the sea
#17 A city for sports (both nautical and land)
#19 A city with continual parties
#20 A good city for tourists (meaning the city has an effective plan put in place to accomodate and service tourists.)
Official municipal Gijon web site: www.ayto-gijon.es/

Ultimate web source about Gijon: www.infogijon.com/infogijon/index.asp