What to see in Valdesoto, the Exemplary Town of Asturias 2025
The Princess of Asturias Foundation has once again awarded the Exemplary Town of Asturias prize, which this year went to the town of Valdesoto . The jury highlighted "its commitment and collective efforts to keep alive and promote ancient traditions passed down from generation to generation."
Specifically, they referred to "the performances of ' los sidros y comedies' and the parade of 'les carroces', which faithfully reflect the spirit of unity and association that transcends the local level." In addition to these cultural events, Valdesoto boasts an interesting architectural heritage surrounded by lush nature.
The heart of the PrincipalityThe municipality of Siero is located in the heart of Asturias, the fourth most populated municipality in the Principality, behind only Oviedo, Gijón, and Avilés. In total, it is made up of 29 parishes , including Valdesoto. These lands have been inhabited since the Paleolithic, as evidenced by the local prehistoric sites .
Roman colonization also left its mark on the municipality, but it wasn't until the Middle Ages , specifically in 905, that the first written reference to Siero appears. In 1504, it was established as a town hall, although it wasn't until 1887 that the Town Hall building was erected on its current site.
Architecture and natureThe parish of Valdesoto extends with various population centers (hamlets, villages, and towns) in a wide valley surrounded by forests and mountains , a landscape interspersed with streams and brooks. In fact, it is this topography that gives it its name: valley and copse (a place populated by trees and bushes).
With just over 1,700 inhabitants , Valdesoto is a testament to the castreña culture: the Castru El Cuitu . However, the main monument is the Palace of the Marquis of Canillejas , an old residence built in the 17th century following the canons of Baroque Asturian palatial architecture. It is located on a large estate, with historic gardens and an attached 19th-century chapel. Also worth visiting is the Parish Church of San Félix , a very striking temple thanks to its yellow-painted exterior walls, its unusual dome, and its modernist temple. The building has a Latin cross layout, wide naves, and ribbed vaults.
On the other hand, the municipality's nature invites us to explore interesting hiking trails . Of particular note is the Senda de Valdesoto , a low-difficulty route that departs from the Bendición neighborhood and, over its 14.3 kilometers, takes us through the parish's most significant sites: fountains, chapels, palaces, mansions, granaries, and farmhouses.
How to get to ValdesotoThe drive from Oviedo to Valdesoto takes approximately 20 minutes via the A-64. From Gijón, it's also only 20 minutes via the AS-I.
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