The cradle of the “ferreiros”

Go to Image The cradle of the 'ferreiros'
Km 0
Km 0

The natural border between Asturias and Galicia is the Eo River, a watercourse that separates provinces, but which provides structure to the Oscos-Eo y Tierras de Burón World Biosphere Reserve.  

Info
Map
The cradle of the 'ferreiros'
GPS: 43.25922042354947, -7.020525790816712

Day 1: Taramundi - Taramundi 28,5

Rural tourism in Asturias was conceived in Taramundi. If only for this reason, the village is worth a visit. As well as for its rich ethnography and renowned hand-crafted knives. First off, the traveller to this village will discover the Church of San Martín and the Carbayo de Poyo, a curious wood carving. At the end of the rectory hill can be found the first rural hotel in Spain, "La Rectoral". Theme museums are the next stop on this tour. A kilometre walk from the centre is the museum of traditional knife-making, a privately-run centre that traces the history and techniques of this craft. Also within a kilometre, though towards Mazonovo this time, is the largest Mills Museum in Spain, which displays 19 exhibits in a truly beautiful complex. The Teixois Ethnographic Site is some four kilometres away, which makes taking the car a good idea. This farmstead has numerous hydraulic devices, from a water-driven forge hammer to a grinding wheel.

In the afternoon, culture gives way to nature. Depending on your physical condition and tastes, you can choose from among a wide range of hiking trails. Two of these are the 14-km Water Trail, which can be covered in four and a half hours, and The Smiths' Trail, only 6 kilometres long, which requires about two and a half hours walking.

Day 2: Taramundi - Santa Eulalia de Oscos 27

The three boroughs of Los Oscos form the route for the second day. Just as you enter Villanueva, you encounter the imposing Monastery of Santa María, with its 12th-century church. Just over a kilometre further on, in Santa Eufemia, you can visit the Bread Ecomuseum (open in summer and at Easter) to get to know the entire process of bread-making. The next stop, San Martín, is just a quarter of an hour drive from Villanueva on the AS-13. This spot is home to the Guzmanes Family House, a listed building of cultural interest that currently houses the town hall. You can also enter the parish church or visit the outside of the Mon Mansion.

Santa Eulalia takes up the last afternoon in the Eo Biosphere Reserve. The Marquis of Sargadelos Birthplace Museum is in Ferreirela de Baxo and also very close, just 3 kilometres from here, is the Mazonovo smithy. You can also knock on the doors of the old traditional knife-making workshops, as many of their owners will give a demonstration on request. Those who wish to make the most of the time they have here can even head for Seimeira Waterfall. This is an 8-km round trip starting out in Santa Eulalia, suitable for doing with children who are in the stage of discovering nature.