Avilés

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Avilés is the third most important city of Asturias, Spain. It is also the name of the municipality which includes the city, which is one of the smallest in the Principality of Asturias. Its length from north to south is 7.5 km, and from east to west it is 6.25 km, giving a total area of 25.34 km². Its main urban agglomeration occupies the flattest land in the municipality, in a land that belonged to the sea, surrounded by small districts, all of them having an altitude of less than 140 metres.

Situated in the estuary of Avilés, in the Northern Central area of the Asturian coast, west of Peñas Cape, it has an important national seaport and important industry. It is close to popular beaches such as Salinas.

Climate

The area experiences Atlantic, warm summers with both overcast and sunny days. In winter the weather is moderate, with significant rains and wind, although sometimes the cold climate of Asturias results in snowfall at sea level. The temperature is rarely below zero or over 30ºC.

History

There are few remnants from Prehistory but there are enough as to determinate that there has been a certain settlement in the area whose existence is known since the year 905 . The name "Avilés" is thought to come from a Roman possessor, Abilius. The first well known file is an endowment of two churches by Asturias King Alfonso III, in 905. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the most important ports of the Biscay Bay, trading mainly with French ports, the main trade was the salt. In this time, it was comprised of two parts: the fishermen´s district, Sabugo, and the aristocratic centre, La Villa, divided by the estuary where Avilés lay. La Villa was surrounded by strong walls, which remack its strategic, commercial an ownerless importance.In 1479 (on January the 15th) the Catholic Kings permit a free market all the Mondays of the year, which still takes place nowadays. The importance of the town as a naval centre is confirmed with the building of ships with the wood taken from the near forests, and with the participation of the sailors in the conquest of the current Seville, reflected in the coat of arms of the town.

It is the birthplace of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, chief of the army of Felipe II, who explored Florida in the 16th century and in 1565 founded the first European town in what is now the United States, San Agustin (now St. Augustine, Florida). It is also the birthplace of Juan Carreño Miranda, the official painter of the king Carlos II.

Part of the estuary was drained in the 19th century, and the two parts joined together. Then the city began to grow outside the medieval wall, which had been demolished in 1818. In the 20th century, there was an enormous growth in population due to the fact that heavy industries located to the town. Around 1950 the factory of ENSIDESA, currently Aceralia (Arcelor), arrived at the area, Cristalería Española together whith ENDASA, currently Alcoa, that transformed Avilés in one of the first manufacturing centres in Spain. Nowadays, the city is trying to focus on new industries and recover its antique flavour.

Architecture

There are many important monuments, like Santo Tomás de Canterbury old church (from the 13th century) and San Nicolás de Bari church (also from the 13th century). Their names demonstrate the influence of medieval foreign trade. There are also civil monuments, like the baroque Palacio de Camposagrado, fortified in its north façade against the English pirates.

Culture

Its most characteristic cultural event is the Interceltic Festival. That occurs in summer, with people coming from Britany, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Galicia and Asturias itself.

Feast and Traditions

• Antroxu (Carnival)
• Feast of the Bollu (the bollu is a local traditional kind of cake)
• Feast of the St. Agustin

Other cities in the municipality

• La Carriona
• Llaranes
• Miranda
• San Cristóbal
• Villalegre
• Versalles

External links