World Heritage, testimony to Asturias' past

The UNESCO World Heritage in Asturias is made up of several monuments of Pre-Romanesque Art, some Prehistoric Caves and the Pilgrims' Roads to Santiago de Compostela.

Pre-Romanesque art is unique in the world. It is the art of the Asturian Monarchy during the 9th and 10th centuries, and this was recognised by UNESCO when it declared the churches of Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and Santa Cristina de Lena World Heritage Sites.

A few years later, this first declaration was completed with the inclusion of San Julián de los Prados, the Holy Chamber of Oviedo Cathedral and the Foncalada Fountain.

Five prehistoric caves that contain outstanding cave paintings and engravings, and which are absolutely essential spaces for understanding the history and evolution of mankind on the European continent.

They are the Tito Bustillo Cave (Ribadesella), La Peña (Candamo), El Pindal (Ribadedeva), Llonín (Peñamellera Alta), and Covaciella (Cabrales).

UNESCO recognises as a World Heritage Site the Pilgrims' Routes to Santiago "for bearing witness to a considerable exchange of human values, during a specific period or in a specific cultural area of the world, in the fields of architecture or technology, monumental arts, urban planning or landscape creation".

And specifically to the Northern Ways "as being an eminently representative example of a type of building or architectural or technological ensemble or landscape illustrating one or more significant periods of human history. As well as being directly or materially associated with events or living traditions, ideas, beliefs or artistic and literary works of outstanding universal importance".

The Asturian routes of the Way of St. James, inscribed on the World Heritage List, run through the following 30 municipalities:

• Primitive Way: Oviedo, Las Regueras, Grado, Salas, Tineo, Allande and Grandas de Salime.
• Coastal Route and link with the Primitive Route: Ribadedeva, Llanes, Ribadesella, Caravia, Colunga, Villaviciosa, Sariego, Siero, Oviedo, Gijón, Carreño, Corvera de Asturias, Avilés, Castrillón, Soto del Barco, Muros de Nalón, Cudillero, Valdés, Navia, Coaña, El Franco, Tapia de Casariego, Castropol and Vegadeo.

The following cultural properties have also been included in this declaration:

The Intangible Cultural Heritage declared by UNESCO in Asturias is the Asturian Cider Culture.

UNESCO recognises Asturian cider culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its deep historical and social roots in Asturias. This declaration covers practices such as the artisanal elaboration of cider, the cider pouring ritual and the traditions linked to its consumption, strengthening its cultural value and ensuring its preservation for future generations.

• 1985 - Santa María del Naranco, San Miguel de Lillo and Santa Cristina de Lena.
• 1998 - San Julián de los Prados, the Holy Chamber of Oviedo Cathedral and the Foncalada Fountain.
• 2015 - The Pilgrims' Roads to Santiago: In Asturias the Primitive Way, and the Coastal Way and its connection with the Primitive Way. The following cultural assets are also included in this declaration: Cathedral of El Salvador and Cámara Santa in Oviedo, Church and monastery of San Salvador de Cornellana, Church of San Salvador de Priesca and Church of Santa María and its rectory, in Soto de Luiña, Cudillero.
• 2024 - Asturian Cider Culture.

Biosphere Reserves are areas of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems, or a combination thereof, recognised as such at the international level within the framework of UNESCO's MAB Programme.

They serve to harmoniously foster the integration of people and nature in order to promote sustainable development through participatory dialogue, knowledge sharing, poverty reduction, improved well-being, respect for cultural values and the capacity of society to adapt to change.

Asturias currently has 7 Biosphere Reserves: