About 850 metres of paved streets extend throughout the village centre of Torazo. Their length gives the streetscape a tangible sense of scale. There are also numerous examples of traditional Asturian buildings, including houses with corridors and galleries. For a culture-focused trip, Torazo places a clear emphasis on its streetscape and architectural heritage.

Streetscape and Architectural History

The Church of San Martín in Torazo dates from the 17th century. Its south portal is Romanesque. This distinction is important when looking at the building’s history: the date describes the church, while “Romanesque” characterises the south portal. The Chapel of Nuestra Señora de la Sienra in Torazo dates from the 18th century and stands in a centuries-old oak grove. The church and chapel offer historical points of reference from two successive centuries; the chapel also has a scenic setting.

Torazo received the Premio al Pueblo Ejemplar de Asturias in 2008. As a dated recognition, the award adds a more recent point of reference in the village’s history to the story of its buildings.

Festivals and Culinary Traditions

El Carmen de Torazu is recognised as a Fiesta de Interés Turístico by the Principality of Asturias. The festival includes the hundred-year-old Ramos procession, in which residents from the different neighbourhoods take part in regional dress. Another local tradition, held annually, is the Jira de Incós: residents bring the festivities to a close with a romería and a cross-country race on the slopes of Monte Incós. These two festivals have distinct formats: El Carmen is characterised by the Ramos procession in regional dress, while the Jira de Incós combines a romería with a cross-country race.

The Festival de la Boroña de forna adds a culinary perspective to the festival traditions. It takes place on the first Sunday in June at the Campu de la Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Sienra in Torazu. Boroñas are baked there in traditional fornas that are more than 300 years old. The festival programme includes a market, music and a procession; the programme may vary from one edition to another. The first Sunday in June is a specific reference point for planning your trip. If you are travelling for the festival, check the date and programme for the relevant edition before your trip.

Oak Landscape and Cycling

Campo de la Sierra is an oak-dominated micro-forest area surrounding Torazo. This means that, alongside its buildings, a named landscape feature is also central to the area. It offers a different perspective on the village from that of the precisely dated churches and chapels: the focus here is not on a single building, but on the oak landscape around Torazo.

Cycling is another specific theme: the Vuelta a Cabranes cycling race runs from Alto de La Encrucijada to Torazu. For travellers who include cycling among their interests, it adds a distinct sporting point of reference to the themes of architectural heritage, festival traditions and landscape.

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