Tineo (Principado de Asturias) (0)

Did you know that... Tineo

It is situated on the plateau that the slopes of the mountain range of the same name give it, in the central part of the council of Tineo of which it is the seat and capital, and through which the Primitive Way passes. The history of Tineo is lost at the dawn of Neolithic culture as witnessed by the tumuli and dolmens found in the area. The pésicos astures settled between the Nalón and the Navia also left their mark, since they have arrived up to our days remains of important military settlements in the council. Also noteworthy was its Roman period, for the mining of various metals, including gold, with the consequent construction of roads and carriageways as well as villas and mansions. With the invasion of the Arabs, Tineo was under their control until the Reconquest and the creation of the Asturian Kingdom.

A little more history

In the 10th century it is already mentioned in writings and in the 11th century it was already mentioned as a settlement, but it was not until the 13th century that Alfonso IX granted it, in Obona, the charter of royal town, with rights and privileges and with the mandate that all pilgrims from Oviedo to Santiago had to pass through Tineo and the monastery of Obona, an order that gave Tineo times of great splendour, becoming during the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries one of the most influential places in this Asturian area. At that time it was known as the Asturias of Tineo. The historical development of the town has made it known historical and relevant facts, both for it and for the rest of the country, in addition to being the birthplace of illustrious figures such as Rafael de Riego, general and political liberal; the last president of the Second Spanish Republic, José Maldonado González, or Santiago Fernández Negrete, minister during the reign of Isabel II. Nowadays, Tineo is an important town in the western Asturian area.

What to see in Tineo?

Walking through the historic centre of the town of Tineo means discovering, in each of its neighbourhoods, pleasant corners where rural architecture, horreos, breadbaskets, stables... are intermingled with 19th century buildings or important medieval constructions. The parish church of San Pedro, which is what remains of the old Franciscan monastery, 13th to 15th centuries, preserves from its original construction the main façade that is protected by a portico, and to the left of the façade there is an image that belonged to the disappeared Hospital de Peregrinos Mater Cristi, which was located in the current La Luna street and which has been known of its existence since the 13th century. In front of the church there is a beautiful and typical transept. Very close to the García de Tineo palace from the 14th and 15th centuries, and to the right of the palace, a narrow alley where a circular tower from the 13th century still seems to be vigilant.

To discover

In the square La Fontán the city council began its history back in the years 1835, the building has been gradually expanded and reformed to achieve the picture that offers today. The Palace of Meras, was built in 1525, and its facade is framed by majestic towers. Located on the outskirts of the town, in what is known as Field San Roque, a peaceful park, is the chapel believed to date from the late thirteenth century and dedicated to San Roque keeps inside an image of the saint dressed as a pilgrim and with his dog. From here along the beautiful Walk of the Friars you have unbeatable views over Tineo and its surroundings. You can't leave Tineo without tasting its rich "seafood from the stable", the chosco, king of Tinetense gastronomy, cooked or cured, a pleasure to savour.

Festivities

Tineo celebrates San Pedro on the 28th and 29th of June; A San Roque honors him in mid-August, on the 16th. And on different dates throughout the year he enjoys fairs and festivals.

Traditions

El Nuberu, also known as Renubeiru, is a blackened and scorched man who likes witchcraft and enchantments and his most pleasant company is that of witches. According to tradition, in order to scare him away, one must place knives and axes with the edge upwards, towards the sky. Another custom is to ring the bells of San Facundo, one of the parishes of the council, whose ringing drives it away.

Curiosities

The square of Las Campas in the Middle Ages was a walled enclosure with fortress included. In 1912 the last remaining tower was demolished, but a few years earlier, in 1899, this square was the scene of the last public execution in Spain. The condemned, a convict convicted of the death of his son and wife, was killed by a vile club. For years to come, this event served as a source of inspiration for troubadours and coplas sung and told by jugglers and fair troubadours.

The Legend

Legend has it that San Francisco made the return of his pilgrimage to Santiago by the Primitive Way, visiting and stopping at the convents of the order. When he arrived in Tineo he consecrated the monastery founded here and in the Field San Roque he erected a hermitage dedicated to San Roque, a tireless pilgrim and protector of the sick, helpless, poor and pilgrims..