OVIEDO is the capital of the region. A beautiful city, its cathedral is a fine example of Late Gothic Style architecture, while two small churches, Santa Maria del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, are the foremost examples of the magnificent Asturias pre-Romanesque art developed in the 9th century.

Gijon, the second largest city in Asturias, owes its current importance to its great port, one of the largest on the Cantabrian coast. The city, which has an enormous beach, has sustained considerable growth but has also preserved its old fishermen quarters.