Cultural Heritage

Monastery of Santa Maria de Villanueva

Monastery of Santa Maria de Villanueva

Considered one of the great jewels of Asturias' religious heritage.

The history of Villanueva de Oscos is closely linked to the Monastery of Santa María, at the entrance to the capital of the council. This monastery, considered one of the great jewels of Asturian heritage and listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest, was born Romanesque and grew up Baroque.

It was founded in the 12th century by Fray Martín de la Vega and later, in 1203, it was transferred to the Cistercian order, becoming an autonomous monastic community.

In its period of splendour, between the 12th and 17th centuries, up to twenty Benedictine friars lived together in this monastery. It was also a centre of studies attended by the most important figures of the region.

In the 18th century, with the arrest of the abbot for joining the Carlist troops, the monastery was definitively secularised and an important page in the history of Villanueva de Oscos came to an end.

Basic information: 985 626 219 / oficinadeturismo@villanuevadeoscos.es.

Visit: The area of the cloister and the monastic quarters is free. There are guided tours of this area and the church with the tourist office staff.