Santa María del Naranco | A Pre-Romanesque jewel in Oviedo

The Palace of Ramiro I, situated on the slopes of Mount Naranco, is a unique building whose exact purpose remains unclear (palace, church, royal pavilion, royal hall, etc.). The building, with a rectangular floor plan, is divided into two storeys: a lower level, or crypt, which is completely enclosed, and an open-plan upper level, linked by an external staircase. The structure, built with meticulous masonry, stands on a stone plinth to give it a sense of verticality, which is reinforced by the fluted buttresses that extend up to the roof.

The lower storey, or crypt, is similar to that of Santa Leocadia, in the Holy Chamber. It is accessed from the outside and is entirely vaulted, reinforced with transverse arches. The upper floor is reached via the external staircase. It consists of a single room with bay windows on both sides and mullioned windows that give the impression of another storey on one of its sides. The bay windows are structured as triple arches resting on columns with carved shafts and Corinthian capitals. Externally, fluted pilasters bearing crosses hang from the windows, topped by medallions featuring animal and human figures. The interior, entirely vaulted, is traversed by transverse arches that echo the external decoration of pilasters topped with medallions.

It can be reached on foot via a 150-metre path (from the car park), which is accessed from Oviedo/Uviéu via the Naranco road (towards Ules). Guided tours depart from Santa María del Naranco. Take bus route A2 (Prerrománico stop).

Limited capacity. Card payments accepted.