Candamo: Cave Art and Historic Routes
Accommodation in Candamo
Candamo tells its story in different ways: through Palaeolithic cave art, traditional architecture and traces of military history. Strawberry growing also shapes the local character. When planning your trip, it is therefore worth exploring the individual places and routes rather than reducing Candamo to a single theme.
Cave Art and How It Is Presented
La Peña Cave in San Román, Candamo, is the westernmost cave with Palaeolithic art on the European continent. Its paintings and engravings were created between 22,590 and 10,870 years ago and are placed in the Gravettian–Magdalenian context. Cueva de la Peña is also located near the CamĂn Real de la Mesa, one of the major Roman roads of the Iberian Peninsula.
For finding your way there: La Peña Cave is on the road from Grullos to Peñaullán (AS-236), between kilometres 4 and 5. A road from San Román leads to a car park near the cave. These details describe the access route and car park; the cave art itself can also be explored through the Cueva de Candamo Interpretation Centre.
The Interpretation Centre is located in the restored Palacio de Valdés-Bazán in San Román. It displays full-scale replicas of the cave’s treasures, as well as a multimedia system about the parietal art of the Cantabrian coast. Cueva de Candamo is part of the UNESCO World Heritage property “Cave of Altamira and Palaeolithic Cave Art of Northern Spain”.
Places, Architecture and Local History
Even beyond the caves, Candamo’s buildings tell stories of the past. The village of Aces is known for its many old hórreos, many of which have carved doors. The church in La Mortera replaced a ruined hermitage dedicated to Saint Mark. The small church of San Andrés, meanwhile, is distinguished by its square apse, single-nave layout and bell gable with three arches.
San Pedro MangĂłn has a history spanning more than ten centuries. The village served as the site of the first open council meetings and as a school. El Castiellu is a different kind of historic site: its oval area measures about 100 Ă— 40 metres. Steep changes in elevation mark its northern, eastern and western slopes; the defensive system on the south side consists of three ramparts.
Candamo’s history can therefore be explored at different scales: through individual architectural details, the recorded uses of places and the layout of an archaeological site. The examples differ considerably, but together offer insights into local architectural and historical traditions.
Routes and Landscape
The NalĂłn flows through Candamo. At 145 kilometres, it is the longest river in Asturias. Another designated outdoor destination is the La Degollada recreation area: a path from there leads to the Picos del Horru observatory and passes preserved traces of military archaeology. A trench system is still visible at the observatory, which also offers 360-degree panoramic views across central Asturias.
The third route of the Espacio Histórico is 5.8 kilometres long and passes over Pico Pedrozu. Its military history features include trenches, machine-gun nests, positions for riflemen and grenadiers, and an observation shelter. The route’s length and the installations described give it a clearly defined historical focus.
The Centro Multideporte La Degollada offers several outdoor routes and circuits, including Asalto a las Trincheras, La Fe, Senda'l Pedrosu, Degollada 2.0 and Ciclo X. Ciclo X is a variant of the Asalto a las Trincheras mountain biking route and runs entirely through Candamo along tracks, paths and some paved sections. The circuit is 34.2 kilometres long, with 644 metres of elevation gain. It is designed for cyclists with an intermediate fitness level and good stamina, but can also be completed on foot. By comparison, the third route of the Espacio HistĂłrico is significantly shorter at 5.8 kilometres; both figures help put the route lengths into perspective.
Strawberries and Regional Tradition
Candamo’s horticultural tradition is represented in particular by strawberry growing. The Festival de la Fresa honours the people who keep this tradition alive. Traditional music and crafts accompany the strawberry presentation. This puts the focus not only on the produce, but also on the knowledge and work involved in growing it.
Discover more destinations: Nava, Valdés, Vaqueira, Cabo Peñas, Langreo, Gozón, Laviana, Comarca Vaqueira.
For the wider travel overview: Asturias.
