During this walking tour we will discover the main historical spaces of the center of Gijón, following the evolution of the city from its origins to the present. We will start next to the Revillagigedo Palace to enter Cimadevilla, the old fishing quarter, where we will evoke the Roman Gijón at the foot of the wall, the medieval Gijón in front of the Casa Natal de Jovellanos and the daily life of the city in places like the Plaza del Lavaderu. After leaving Cimadevilla we will talk about the fishing tradition in the Transit of the Whales and, if time permits, we will climb to the Praise of the Horizon, the monumental sculpture of Eduardo Chillida located on the hill of Santa Catalina. We will then descend to the beach area, passing by the Roman Baths of Campo Valdes, to finish in Plaza Mayor, where the guide will recommend some streets and neighborhoods ideal to enjoy tapas, cider and local gastronomy.
Your guide will pick you up at the specified meeting point and wear an identifying pendant with the name of the guide himself.
Flexible end point, depending on the itinerary of the guide.
The tour begins next to the well-known “Letronas” of Gijón, one of the most photographed points of the city. Located in front of the marina, these large colored letters have become a modern symbol of Gijón and offer an excellent introduction to the cityscape, overlooking the Cantabrian Sea, the port and the historic neighborhood of Cimavilla.
Revillagigedo Palace is one of the most important Baroque buildings in Asturias. Built in the 18th century by the Ramirez de Jove family, it dominates the entrance to the Cimavilla neighborhood next to the collegiate church of San Juan Bautista. During the visit, the role of the palace in the history of the city and its current function as a cultural center are explained.
The Cimadevilla district is the oldest town in Gijón. Located on a peninsula between the marina and San Lorenzo beach, it preserves the irregular layout of its medieval and seafaring origin. During the walk through its streets you will discover old fishing houses, small squares and viewpoints from which you can understand the historical relationship of the city with the sea.
The so-called “Chaponas” are a set of metal plates placed on the ground depicting scenes and episodes from the history of Gijón. They cover key moments in the city’s past, from Roman times to the industrial and port evolution of the 19th and 20th centuries.
At this point the remains of the Roman and medieval wall that protected the ancient settlement of Gigia are explained. Although only a few fragments are preserved, they allow us to understand the strategic importance of the enclave and its evolution from Roman times to the Middle Ages.
The visit continues in the Roman Baths of Campo Valdes, one of the main archaeological sites of the city. Discovered in the 20th century, these public baths date from the 1st–2nd centuries AD and show what everyday life was like in the ancient Roman city of Gigia. The tour allows to know the different rooms of the thermal complex and its function within Roman society.
In the heart of Cimavilla is the Casa Natal of Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, one of the most important figures of the Spanish Enlightenment. The 16th century building today houses a museum dedicated to his life and intellectual legacy, allowing an understanding of the influence of Jovellanos on the culture and history of Asturias.
Plaza Mayor is the historic and administrative heart of Gijón. Surrounded by portals and dominated by the City Hall, it has been for centuries the main meeting space of the city. Here are some of the key moments in the urban history of Gijón.
The tour ends at Plaza del Lavaderu, one of the most authentic corners of the Cimavilla neighborhood. It was formerly the place where the public utility used by the neighborhood residents was located. Today it preserves the traditional atmosphere of this historic area and allows to close the tour with a vision of the daily life of the old seafaring neighborhood.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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