Vigaña combines a distinctive archaeological connection with routes through the village and up to the Church of San Pedro. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Vigaña, you can plan your stay around whether you mainly want to explore archaeological finds and traditional architecture or spend time on the routes. The landscape and cultural heritage offer different points of interest.
Archaeology and traditional rural architecture
The San Pedro de Vigaña necropolis is a burial mound cemetery with slab graves. It was excavated in two plots: El Val.le, with nine burials, and Entelailesia, with 54. The oldest grave dates from the 7th century AD and contained a sword, a knife, buckles, nails and a flint. The necropolis is also included in the Cultural Heritage Inventory of the Principality of Asturias (IPCA).
A set of grave goods from the necropolis is part of the permanent exhibition at the Archaeological Museum of Asturias. The specific display may change; if you are looking for it in particular, check the current exhibition before your visit. This lets you combine a visit to Vigaña with a look at the finds outside the village, without treating the necropolis and its museum exhibits as the same destination.
The Castro de Vigaña offers a different perspective on the past: its dates range from the 6th century BC to the 1st century AD, and it is considered a significant example of Castro culture. The archaeological area also includes Las Corvas. There, hearths dating back around 6,000 years to the Neolithic period were found; Las Corvas was identified as the first open-air settlement from this period discovered in Asturias. Vigaña also preserves well-maintained traditional rural manor houses. Together, these sites and buildings show different facets of the cultural heritage, from traces of prehistoric settlements to rural architecture.
Walking routes and cycling route
The Ruta de la Braña de Estopiellu (PR.AS-201) starts in Vigaña, passes through the village and climbs up to the Church of San Pedro. The route therefore includes both a walk through the village and the path to the church. In less than 40 minutes, the route reaches the high pasture of L’Estoupiel.lu, where there are huts used for livestock. From there, you can extend the walk northwards to join the Ruta Vaqueira (PR.AS-145).
For a different scale, there is the one-day circular Ruta de la Escanda. Camín Real de la Mesa. It is 46 kilometres long, passes through Vigaña and is suitable for all types of bicycles. The two routes can be distinguished by their stated times and distances: for the Braña route, the time to the high pasture is given; for the Escanda route, the length and one-day timeframe of the circular route are specified. This can help you plan according to whether you prefer a shorter connection or a cycling loop for a full day.
Location and access
Vigaña lies at an altitude of around 650 metres on the foothills of the Sierra de Arcéu. From here, there are views of the Pigüeña Valley and the mountains of Belmonte. Its location and views are a distinctive part of the village’s character, alongside its archaeological sites and routes. Vigaña can be reached by a local road that climbs from the AS-227 at Las Llamas. Road conditions and signage may change; check the current route before setting out.
When choosing your stay, it is worth deciding first what you want to focus on: the necropolis, the Castro and Las Corvas offer an archaeological focus; the Ruta de la Braña and the Escanda circular route provide different ways to explore the area. Information about the altitude, views and access can help you get a sense of Vigaña as a destination, while the details of your days can depend on the places and routes you want to visit.
Discover more destinations: Alvariza, Cutiellos, Belmonte.
Go to the main travel overview: Belmonte De Miranda.
