Jardín de Pelayo

The Jardín de Pelayo is a small green space in the historic centre of Oviedo, the capital of Asturias, and it is best understood as part of the walk through the old town rather than as a destination on its own. It lies in the compact pedestrian centre of the city, near the cathedral and the Plaza de la Constitución, the square where the town hall stands. The details of its layout are modest: trees, paths and benches, a place to sit in the shade between sights. It is better treated as a pause point in the day.

The name recalls Pelayo, the semi-legendary nobleman who is considered the first king of Asturias. According to tradition, he led a small group of Christians against a Muslim force at the Battle of Covadonga in the early eighth century, and this event became a founding story of the Spanish kingdoms. The monarchy he began moved its court to Oviedo in the late eighth century, and the city grew as a royal and religious centre. Today, Oviedo is proud of this past, and the early medieval period is one of its main attractions.

The city's most important monuments lie within easy reach of the garden. The Catedral de San Salvador is a Gothic cathedral that holds the Cámara Santa, a chapel with a treasure of early medieval goldwork, including crosses from the Asturian kings. A few kilometres outside the centre, on the slopes of Mount Naranco, stand two small churches from the ninth century, Santa María del Naranco and San Miguel de Lillo, which belong to the pre-Romanesque Asturian style and are UNESCO World Heritage monuments. The Iglesia de San Julián de los Prados, in the city, is another Asturian pre-Romanesque church, with remarkable wall paintings.

Oviedo is also known for its cider culture. Calle Gascona, the Boulevard of Cider, is lined with sidrerías where waiters pour the drink from a height into a glass. The old town has plazas with sculptures, markets and shops, and the Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias and the Museo de la Industria de Asturias offer more cultural visits. The Parque de San Francisco, the large central park, is a short walk away.

The garden is free and open at any hour. It suits walkers and families who need a short rest, and it is better as a quiet moment between visits than as a main goal.