Places of interest
Talasoponiente (Thermal Centre)
"Talasoponiente" is a centre for recreation , health and beauty. A new concept of room to enjoy the benefits of the sea, open for everyone and planned for you to relax, to have a good time, to look after yourself and for your wellbeing in general. A thermal centre of the 21st century thought for enjoying the moment , every day of the week.
Further information
Casino of Asturias
Convieved as a centre for recreation, amusement and entertainment, the Casino of Asturias has turned into the main promoter of artistic, cultural and gastronomic activities in Asturias.
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Laboral "City of Culture"
The "City of Culture" is the result of a project of transformation which the government of the Principality of Asturias started in 2001 in order to revitalize the building of the former Tecnical College of Gijón.
The headquarter of the Radio and Televison Company of the Principality of Asturias in the ancinet convent of the Poor Clare Sisters, the LABoral centre for industrial Art and Creation, the integrated Centre for vocational training, the shop in the corinthian courtyard, the Tower, the Drama school, the Curch, the Café, the Theatre, the Auditorium and the University school of "Jovellanos" are some of the places you can find in the "City of Culture"
Further information
Skool Surf Gijón
The Skool Surf Gijon is situated on the famous San Lorenzo beach, near the stairs number 14. The head of school are Manuel Ruiz, Daniel Aznar and Rubén González, all known Surfers in Asturias and on the whole coast.
All trainers are approved by the Spanish Surf Federation.
The school has changing rooms, showers, wi-fi areas, sea view and a shop where you can buy your equipment for the best price
Further information
Acuario de Gijón [aquarium]
The Acuario de Gijón, near the Playa de Poniente has seen record numbers of visitors since it opened in 2006. It is an amazing place, with state-of-the-art equipment which will tempt children and grown-ups alike and teach them about marine flora and fauna from the 5 continents.
Further information
Jardín Botánico [botanic garden]
You are at the gates of a cathedral, at the entrance to a museum, about to enter the passage of time, about to experience a whole range of powerful, unexpected emotions. The Jardín Botánico Atlántico you are going to visit is a lay cathedral in which the columns are trees, the domes their leaves and branches, and the mystery is provided by the small and large plants, the sound of water and the age-old rumble of the earth. You will discover a once-in-a-lifetime museum with unique works of art which are absolutely priceless.
Further information
Festivals of interest
Fiesta
de la Sidra Natural [Natural Cider Festival]
This festival is normally held the week after
the Semana Grande de Gijón (on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday). The festival
is dedicated to the most popular drink of the Asturias, with free tasting
sessions of natural cider-tasting, Guinness World Record for simultaneous
pouring of cider, waiters' competitions, traditional music and the Mercadillo
de la Sidra y la Manzana [a small market selling cider and apples]. A unique
festival.
Semana Grande de Begoña
A real festive spirit takes over the city
during this festival. Concerts open to the public in a number of different
squares, with first-rate programmes.
Semana
Negra
Gijón becomes a cultural centre with
something for everyone, where you can reflect and exchange ideas about music,
art and literature. It is a large, open-air festival, with free concerts,
things to see and do, entertainments and a wonderful, ongoing festive atmosphere.
Events
Xacobeo 2010
This Holy Year offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the Camino de Santiago as a place of pilgrimage and a meeting point for people of different nations that has become a symbol of fraternity over the centuries and a corner stone of an awareness of Europe, as affirmed by the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord won in 2004.
The Holy Year Xacobeo 2010 is very important as it symbolises the end of a cycle which has been particularly prominent for the number of pilgrims who have followed the Camino de Santiago over the years. Given the leap years, the Feast of St. James on 25th July falls on a Sunday every 11, 6, 5, 6 and then 11 years. So there won’t be another ‘Jacobeo’ until 2021.
In order to obtain the jubilee, all pilgrims must honour the three traditions:
- Visit the grave of the Apostle in the Cathedral and pray.
- Receive the Sacrament of Confession (either in the Cathedral or anywhere else, two weeks earlier or afterwards).
- Receive communion.
This indulgence is applicable to the deceased. Jubilee indulgences are granted once a day under the following conditions:
- Visiting the Cathedral while praying.
- Receiving the Sacraments of Confession (two weeks earlier or afterwards) and the Holy Communion.
The Xacobeo 2010 programme has been designed to satisfy the cultural needs of different audiences and different ages. Large and small scale shows, musical performances and projects are being organised covering a range of artistic disciplines: photography, animation and film, and exhibitions.
Further InformationThe region
Asturias' natural surroundings have become a much-treasured part of its history. Its unique borders, sheer mountains and turbulent sea have led this ancient, amazingly beautiful kingdom to stay as it always has been in terms of its customs, culture and legends.Asturias' real strength is its countryside, nature, forests, fauna... Asturias is a place which really brings art to life.
Further Information
Places of interest:
-Oviedo: Information
-Cangas de Onís y Lagos de Covadonga: Information
-Parque Nacional Picos de Europa: Information
-Parques Naturales: Information
-Playas con bandera azul 2009: Information
-Monumentos prerrománicos: Information
-Guía del Camino de Santiago: Information
-Descenso Internacional del Sella: Information